Former president John Mahama has vacated his official residence after weeks of controversy surrounded his continuous stay at his Cantonments apartment.
Officials of the previous administration and the Public Works Department (PWD) Monday conducted an inventory of the house before the report was signed by former Chief of Staff Julius Debrah.
On Tuesday morning, Mahama posted his family’s movement on Instagram:
A few security personnel could be seen at the residence earmarked as a security zone.
Mahama’s decision to vacate the house followed a public outcry over his intention to keep it as his retirement home. He later wrote to President Akufo-Addo that he was no longer interested in the house.
The letter read: “I refer to our agreement on the above subject matter and wish to inform you that I have decided to formerly withdraw both request to continue to stay at my current place of residence No.3.prestige link cantonment and also to use bungalow No.6 third avenue ridge, as my office.
“It would appear that these request threaten to mar the spirit of cooperation with which we as co-chairs of the joint transition team have managed the smooth transfer of power from my administration to yours. I believe that this controversy is absolutely not needed in this early days as the government settles into office. I do recognise that these are facilities that are conventionally extended to presidents that leave office and I am also mindful of the approval by the parliament of the republic of Ghana on Wednesday January 4 2017 at its 22nd sitting of the third meeting of the 4th session”.
It added: “You would recall, Mr. President, that contrary to the erroneous impression created by some persons in government and the interpretation given to the former letter submitted on my behalf by Mr. Julius Debrah, this was a follow up an agreement we had on my choice of accommodation and office. I had never requested to purchase the property, my request is therefore humbly withdrawn”.
