The news that Former President Mahama has requested to keep his residence meant to accommodate the Vice-President of Ghana Dr Bawumia has not been accepted by some well-meaning Ghanaians.
The former President requested through his former Chief of Staff Julius Debrah to keep the bungalow as part of his ex-gratia, but there’s not been any agreement on it from the government side.
Former President Mahama continued to live at the residence, bungalow No.3, situated at Prestige Link, Cantonments in Accra which has been designated as official accommodation for the country’s Vice-Presidents, even after assuming office as President of Ghana in June 2012.
His continuous stay at the residence has left the Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia stranded.
The current accommodation package for the President amounts to 40 percent of his salary to be paid monthly and staff support consisting of a cook, steward and gardener.
This is a revision of the previous arrangement which is that the state provides one fully furnished residence in the national capital and one out-of-capital residence at any location of the President’s choice.
The bungalow housed Professor John Evans Atta while he was serving as Vice President under Jerry John Rawlings and Aliu Mahama, who also served as Vice President under John Agyekum Kufuor. It was also Former President Mahama’s home as Vice President of Ghana in 2009
Aside from this request, the Former President is also demanding for Bungalow No.6, 3rd Avenue, Ridge, Accra as his office.
These are some views from Ghanaians below: