President John Dramani Mahama has denied reports that he has refused to vacate his official residence for it to be occupied by the current Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
Former President Mahama who has been staying in his current residence since 2009 and when he became vice president taking over from former Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama who occupied it from 2001 to 2009.
He decided to use the same residence even after becoming the president in 2013 and requested to use it as his retirement home before the dissolution of the Sixth Parliament after losing the December 2016 elections.
There are reports, however, that Dr. Bawumia is “stranded†since he has nowhere to move to as his official residence.
But according to former President Mahama, the reports are “mischievous†and a move to “embarrass†him because he had formally informed the incoming administration through his former chief of staff Julius Debrah to continue staying in the house.
In a statement from his office on Monday, he said, “The claims that Vice President Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia is stranded and has nowhere to stay, is mischievous and deliberately intended to embarrass President Mahama",
“The Vice President is expected to take up residence in the House known as Australia House, which was previously occupied by former Vice President Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthurâ€, the statement added.
Below is the full statement:
Ignore claims about President Mahama’s residence
Contrary to the claims being made that HE John Dramani Mahama, former President of the Republic of Ghana, has refused to vacate his residence, we wish to state and confirm that per the information officially communicated to the newly inaugurated administration following discussions by the Joint Transition Team, President Mahama will continue to maintain his current place of residence as his retirement home.
The decision and agreement on the place of residence and office for the former President was formally communicated to the new administration by the former Chief of Staff Julius Debrah on December 19, 2016.
The Sixth Parliament of the 4th Republic before its dissolution, also resolved that residential and office accommodation should be provided to the outgoing President, HE John Dramani Mahama in line with convention and existing precedent.
The claims that Vice President Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia is stranded and has nowhere to stay, is mischievous and deliberately intended to embarrass President Mahama.
The Vice President is expected to take up residence in the House known as Australia House, which was previously occupied by former Vice President Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur.
An Official and Permanent residence for the Vice President is currently under construction, off the Switchback road. Dr. Bawumia will move into the new structure when completed.
Office of HE John Dramani Mahama
Former President of the Republic of Ghana
Accra- Ghana.
January 09, 2017.