President Nana Akufo-Addo must be the one to occupy the state property currently being occupied by former president John Mahama and his family in the event that the latter moves out, rather than give it to vice president Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has argued.

There is currently a controversy regarding a request by Mr Mahama to keep the property as part of his ex gratia. While the outgone government claims there was an agreement with the new government for Mr Mahama to keep the property, the governing party’s side of the transition team has denied there being any such understanding.

Media reports have said Vice President Bawumia is currently stranded as a result of Mr Mahama’s quest to keep the property. Other reports suggest Dr Bawumia is to be housed at Australia House.

Speaking to the issue on Accra100.5FM’s morning show, Ghana Yensom, on Tuesday 10 January, Mr Asiedu Nketia told host Chief Jerry Forson that he found it “very funny that they [NPP] are saying former president Mahama should vacate the bungalow to give way to Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia,” questioning: “Has Mahamudu Bawumia ever been president of Ghana?

“If it is President Akufo-Addo that will occupy the bungalow if Mr Mahama moves out, then that is appropriate, but why are they saying it is Bawumia that has to occupy that property?”

He said former vice president Amissah-Arthur’s official residence is currently vacant after he moved out “so why then are you (NPP) saying Bawumia is stranded because Mr Mahama is still occupying that property? It means you are up to no good. It means the conditions enjoyed by presidents of the republic do not match the standards of President Akufo-Addo so the property should be given to the vice president so that a grander property could be put up for him.”