Mahama withdraws interest in Cantonment bungalow

Former President John Mahama has written to government to withdraw his interest to keep his official bungalow as his retirement package, StarrFMonline.com can confirm.

According to StarrFMonline.com sources, the letter was delivered to the office of the President Wednesday morning.

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 I had never requested to purchase the property, my request is therefore humbly withdrawn”.

The request by Mr. Mahama to keep the cantonment apartment has sparked controversy in the country, with many urging Nana Akufo-Addo to reject the request because it will be a bad precedent.

The NPP government is yet to officially respond to the request.

However, senior minister-designate Yaw Osafo Marfo has described as falsehood claims by former communications minister that a consensus had been reached on the matter during the transition days.

Dr. Omane Boamah claims leaders of the transition teams agreed for the former President to keep the apartment.

Mr. Mahama and his family have lived in the apartment since 2009 when he became vice president to the late Professor John Mills.

He continued to live there when he became President.

Per Ghana’s laws, the state is required to provide accommodation for a former President.