Member of Parliament for Manhyia Constituency, Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh, says the much-talked plush apartment at Trasacco Valley located off the Accra Tema Motorway offered former president John Agyekum Kufuor by the Mills’ administration is nothing more than a nondescript, unpainted old building which Mr Kufuor rightly rejected.
According to him, the rejection of the house was also partly because it was unclear whether it was based on recommendations of the Chinery Hesse report or some report commissioned by President Mills.
Ex-President Jerry Rawlings reportedly rejected a similar offer from government on the grounds that, it is not in tandem with the principles of the NDC party.
The Chinery Hesse Committee (CHC) recommendation caused public outrage leading to former President Kufuor being criticized over the contents of the report, with many contending that it was a deliberate ploy to further impoverish the state kitty. But Mr Kufuor pointed out in subsequent interviews that there is no such desire to milk the country dry, but rather, the proposal only sought to restore dignity to the presidency.
The report, which was approved by the Ghanaian Parliament on 6th January 2009, included two residential facilities, six vehicles, overseas travels, medical and dental services, entertainment, non-taxable ex-gratia, establishment of a $1 million foundation, and other miscellaneous benefits.
The quality of the two accommodation facilities (one in Accra and another elsewhere), according to the report, should be of a standard befitting a retired Head of State who must be called upon to receive and entertain the network of dignitaries including Heads of State.
It said the standard of accommodation must be determined in consultation with State Protocol. The residences would not revert to the state in the event of the demise of the receiving former president.
The former President is to get a fully equipped and furnished office, staffed with five professionals and adequate secretarial support within the nation’s capital.
The committee further recommended six fully maintained comprehensively insured, fuelled and chauffeur-driven vehicles.
The vehicles should be three saloon cars, two cross country vehicles and one all-purpose vehicle.
Travel in congested traffic should be facilitated appropriately with police escort, bearing in mind security considerations.
A former President who has served two consecutive terms should be entitled to a period of 60 days overseas travels taking into account the longevity of service and accompanying stress given the demands of the office.
There is also an equivalent to 12 months consolidated salary for each full year of service or pro-rata. Where the President has served for a second consecutive term, an additional nontaxable resettlement grant of 6 months of consolidated salary for each full year of service, or pro-rata prepaid with nontaxable ex-gratia of 12months of consolidated salary for each year served.
Other miscellaneous benefits cover medical and dental services, adequate 24hour security service should be provided at all times, entitlement to Ghana diplomatic passport and diplomatic courtesies for former President and spouse, plus adequate entertainment provision by state protocol.
Following the public outcry over the quantum of the ex gratia recommended by the CHC for members of the Executive, President Mills set up the Ishmael Yamson Committee (IYC) to review the recommendations which were approved by Parliament – even though members of the House later said they did not pay attention to contents of the CHC report when they approved it.
The NPP and some members of civil society had argued that President Mills, who is the head of the Executive, had no mandate to set up the IYC to review the recommendations of the CHC which had been approved by Parliament.
Earlier this week, it was reported that government had provided two houses for former presidents Jerry John Rawlings and J.A Kufuor as part of the Chinery Hesse Committee report which recommended that the two ex-leaders be given permanent houses and offices.
But Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh opines that the government disrespected Mr Kufuor by simply dropping off the keys to the house without even the courtesy of his in-put into the construction of the facility.
He said the building was rejected after it turned out to be very old house, which had not even been renovated.
“…someone sent by government simply left the keys to a building sited at Trasacco at Kufuor’s house in his absence…but after the house was checked out, it was not befitting the status of an ex-president...it was old and not freshly painted," he added.
According to him, if the NDC government had any modicum of respect for Mr. Kufuor, they would have given him the honor of at least finding out if he prefers the location of the house or any input as to specification than simply dropping off the keys with his security personnel.
Speaking in an interview on Okay FM’s Ade Akye Abia Morning show, the Manhyia MP described newspaper reports of government's offer of a house to Mr. Kufuor as a mere propaganda gimmick.
“…the ex-president informed government he does not like the house a day after the keys were dropped at his (Kufuor’s) residence which was some three weeks ago so the publication in the newspaper painting the picture as if the issue in question popped up today is false…it is unfortunate some newspapers and senior journalist have now become government’s spokespersons and are playing along with the NDC’s propaganda,” he said.
According to Napo, as the NPP MP is affectionately called, it does not matter the number of rooms in the house but the truth of the matter is that the building is old which had not even been freshly painted.
“…the fact that government is expected to give Kufuor a house as part of his ex-gratia package does not mean he (Kufuor) will accept whatever is thrown at his feet,
