39 cars retrieved from ex-govt officials

The government has so far retrieved 39 high-performance vehicles from former President J.A. Kufuor, former Ministers of State, members of the former government and party functionaries of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The vehicles which are made up of saloon cars and four-wheel drives were retrieved between January 5 and February 9.


Two Mercedes Benz cars, two Ford Expedition, and two BMW 7SL vehicles were retrieved from the former President.


According to a government source, a Peugeot 607 was also retrieved from the former President's household.


The source said a Toyota Crown saloon car, had to be towed from the house of Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, former Tourism Minister, because it had no battery, back tyres, and no tools.


One Toyota pick-up and two Toyota Land Cruisers were taken from Mr D.K. Osei, Secretary to the ex-president and Mrs Mary Chinery-Hesse, Special Advisor to the ex-president.

According to the source, a Peugeot 406 in possession of Mr Joe Baidoe-Ansah, former Aviation Minister, and a VW Passat in the custody of Madam Ama Busia, member of the Council of State were also retrieved.


Other vehicles retrieved are a Toyota Fortuner in possession of Mr J. B. Amofa, a Toyota Land cruiser used by Mr Tonny Amematekpor, and a Peugeot 407 in the possession of Mr Y.B. Asamoah.


From the residence of the former Chief of Staff, Kwadwo Mpiani, four vehicles, a Rover 75, a Toyota Landcruiser, a Toyota Explorer and a Nissan Pick-up - were retrieved.


Other vehicles now in government possession are a Toyota Landcruiser used by Prof. Appiah Adu, a Toyota Landcruiser by Mr Agyeman Duah, a Nissan Patrol by Mrs Bampoe Addo, a Toyota Landcruiser by Dan Agyeman, and a Rover 75 being used by General Joshua Hamidu.


The government also retrieved a Toyota Landcruiser from Prince Oppong, a Rover 75 and a Toyota Landcruiser from Mr J.H. Mensah while a Peugeot 406 and 607 each were taken from Alhaji Haruna, Nana Akomea, Kan Dapaah and from Mrs Theresa Kufuor, former First Lady.

Also retrieved are a Toyota Camry used by Mr Joe Ghartey, former Attorney-General, a Rover 75 by Mrs Gladys Asmah, former Fisheries Minister, a Peugeot 607 by Dr Anthony Akoto Osei and a Toyota Camry by Mr Osei Adjei.


The government also took possession of Rover 75 from Dr Richard Anane, a Peugeot 40, from O.B. Amoah, and a VW Phaeton from Kwabena Agyapong, former Presidential Spokesperson.


The NDC government, after taking over from the NPP regime, gave directives to members of the previous government, to return to the State, all government vehicles in their possession.


While some complied, others did not, thus compelling the government to take steps to retrieve the vehicles in their possession.


According to the source, the Government would take further steps to retrieve the vehicle still in possession of the former government officials and party functionaries.