Prez Mahama buys pistol for personal use

Notwithstanding the heavy security security detail at his disposal, President John Dramani Mahama has requested for a pistol to protect himself.

 

The reason for the acquisition is not yet known but President Mahama is reported to have imported a pistol and subsequently applied for licence from the Arms and Ammunition Unit of the Police Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

According to the Daily Guide,  a letter dated August 27, 2015 and signed by the deputy Interior Minister, James Agalga, and addressed to the Director of Police CID confirms the Mr. Mahama's acquisition.

In that letter headlined, ‘Permission to import and license a pistol,’ – a copy of which the paper claims to have stumbled upon – Mr Agalga sought to approve the request by the president to enable him import and use the pistol.

“Permission is hereby granted to H.E John Dramani Mahama to import and license one pistol and two hundred (200) rounds of ammunition,” he stated.

The purpose, he noted, “is to request you to issue H.E John Dramani Mahama with a permit to import and license the items.”

The letter, which was copied to the Commissioner of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) at its headquarters, the officer in-charge of the Customs Division (of the GRA) at the Kotoka International Airport, the Director of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), the National Security Coordinator and President Mahama himself, was supposed to expire on December 31, 2015. The reasons for importing a pistol for the president was not stated but the letter indicated that the permit was not transferable.

But Deputy Interior, James Agalga who signed the letter is not forthcoming with information.

When DAILY GUIDE called him yesterday for explanation, he declined to comment.

Instead, he sought to know why the paper was asking him the question as to whether or not he issued the permit.

Not even the explanation that the paper had stumbled on a letter to that effect could suffice as he still asked, “Why are you asking that question? Comment declined.”

Pressed further, he reacted with rage, asking rhetorically, “Do you want to put me under investigation? Do you want to put my office under investigation?” while noting with emphasis, “Whatever responses you want, you can’t get.”