The Member of Parliament for Bodi in the Western Region, Sampson Ahi, has suggested government attempted to embarrass former President John Mahama by publicizing his request to keep his official residence, after an initial agreement had been reached.
The former President has since withdrawn his request for the residence, among other facilities, a move Mr. Ahi commended.
The President had earlier maintained that his decision to keep the state residence he occupied while in office, was approved by the new government led by President Nana Akufo-Addo.
Speaking to Citi News’ Duke Mensah Opoku in Parliament on Wednesday, the Bodi MP also noted that “the request letter was issued as a result of an agreement reached amongst the transition team [which compromises of both the current and outgone government]”
“But the way it was put in the media indicates that there was no agreement, and the agenda is to disgrace him as former President,” Mr. Ahi intimated.
“So if he has withdrawn, the only thing that I can say is that, the NPP government under Nana Akufo-Addo, has decided to disgrace the President so to avoid the disgrace, he[Mahama] had to withdraw… we needn’t have come into this situation but for the agenda which is best known to them.”
The former President’s request to keep his accommodation, which incited widespread public outcry, was approved unanimously by Members of Parliament.
This was contrary to the approved recommendations set by the Professor Dora Francisca Edu-Buandoh committee on Emoluments and Conditions of Service for Article 71 office holders.
The committee recommended that the former President not should be given a house in Accra and another location of his choice outside the capital as had been the norm but instead be given 40 percent of his salary to be paid monthly.
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