The spokesperson for the government’s transition team, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has refuted claims by the office of the former president, John Mahama that an agreement had been reached for him to occupy his current residence as part of his retirement package.
Oppong Nkrumah’s comment comes on the back of a statement from the former Ghanaian leader’s office that read in parts that: “we wish to state and confirm that per the information officially communicated to the newly inaugurated administration following discussions by the Joint Transition Team, President Mahama will continue to maintain his current place of residence as his retirement home.”
The statement from Mahama’s office was occasioned by reports that he had refused to vacate his official residence to allow the current vice president, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to occupy it.
“The decision and agreement on the place of residence and office for the former President was formally communicated to the new administration by the former Chief of Staff Julius Debrah on December 19, 2016,” said the statement.
But speaking on Monday in an interview with Accra based Joy FM, Oppong Nkrumah said “no such agreement” had been reached for Mahama to keep his current residence as retirement package.
“The request have been made by the former president [John] Mahama. In deed the request was made at the time he was president and if you read my senior brother, Edward Omane Boamah’s statement it suggests that the decision was made and then communicated to us which with great respect cannot be the case,” he noted.
Oppong Nkrumah said Mahama’s request is being scrutinized and that a response will be communicated to him in the “shortest possible time.”
Meanwhile, the Majority leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah Bonsu said on Peace FM Monday that Akufo-Addo sanctioned a decision for government of Ghana to provide Mahama a residence, saying “we didn’t include that his current residence be given to him; that is not what we said.”
