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Scrap Building Houses For Ex-Presidents -Botwe

Rawlings Kufuor Obama

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 Source: Peacefmonline

Outspoken New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Okere, Hon. Dan Kweku Botwe, says he fully backs President John Evans Atta Mills’ proposal to scrap the current arrangement which mandates the state to build houses for Presidents of the country after their tenure in office expires.

To him, the president’s proposal is in the right direction and deserves the necessary support from all Ghanaians.

President John Mills has proposed to the Ewurama Addy Committee set up to deal with the whole issue of emoluments for Article 71 office holders that the arrangement that enjoins the state to build houses for ex-Presidents be scrapped and rather rent allowances be paid to cater for their accommodation, beginning from the end of his tenure.

His proposal has been met with mixed reactions. Whiles some say the proposal demeans the work of the president and risks turning quality public servants away from serving their country well, others have welcomed it wholeheartedly.

Hon Dan Botwe is in the latter category.

Speaking in an interview on PeaceFM’s Kokrokoo Morning show, Hon. Botwe said even though President Mill’s proposal is late in coming, it is worth considering. He is of the opinion that putting up houses for an ex-president who campaigned to be voted for to serve the country might create the impression that they expect some form of reward for their service.

“I think what Mills has proposed, even though it’s late, is in the right direction and we should all agree as a nation because when we are campaigning, we only say we are coming to serve the nation….allowances and other incentives can be given to them…we can treat them like dignitaries…,” he suggested.

Known for his modesty, the one-time Presidential aspirant of the NPP posited that ex-presidents must be adored, pampered and protected but not necessarily constructing houses for them.

“I don’t think it is right for a house to be built for them besides there are different ways of pampering and treating them with respect. Their rent allowances should be given to them and the allowance may end up helping them put up your own houses but for the state to build for them is wrong,” he added.

Source: Peacefmonline