I’ll personally return the Ford Expedition given to Mahama if we find it – NAPO

Educational Minister, Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has vowed that he would not hesitate to return the infamous Mahama ‘car gift’ to the erstwhile president when he sets eyes on the Ford Expedition.

The said Ford Expedition worth $100,000 was said to have been presented to former president John Dramani Mahama by Burkinabe contractor, Djibril Kanazoe, as a friendly gesture.

John Mahama in an interview on South Africa-based Power FM claimed he was never under any illusion that the vehicle was given to him as a gift personally, hence he did not consider it as a personal gift. He averred that the car was part of the fleet of state vehicles left for the Akufo-Addo government to be used for official duties.

But the Educational Minister in a rebuttal, asserted that it was a false report from the former first gentleman adding he has personally not set eyes on the car since the Akufo-Addo-led government assumed office over a year ago.

Touching on national issues including education and corruption on Adom TV’s Badwam, Matthew Opoku admitted that although there were hearsays that the vehicle was handed over to the NPP government, he was confident that:

“…The car was never part of the presidential cars they (NDC government) handed over to us (NPP government). We never saw it. I have looked for it but it’s nowhere to be found.”

Daring the host, who said he would do a follow-up on whether indeed the car was handed over to the NPP government or not, Mr Opoku added, “I’m telling you I was looking for that particular car. Mahama should come and show to us the car he claimed he left. If I chance on the car I will personally drive the car with you (the host) by my side to Mahama.”

The disheartened Educational Minister further made claims that before he assumed office, the Ministry of Education did not have a single to help with the daily activities. Matthew Opoku revealed that there was a directive from the Chief Director to move all the ministry cars to the Jubilee House.

He stated that the staff perceived them to be government cars which turned out to be fallacious after the various Ministries wrote to the government demanding for cars.