In a bid to reassure Ghanaians on President Akufo-Addo’s commitment to protecting the public purse, government has revealed that the president has decided to absorb the costs involved in compensating traders who were operating in front of his Nima residence in the capital.

In a statement signed by Information Minister Mustapha Hamid, his outfit cleared the air by indicating that contrary to media reports that the traders had been given a week’s notice to relocate to a different environment, “extensive consultations were undertaken between the Office of the President, National Security, and the traders and artisans, before the implementation of this decision.”

He noted that “the leadership of the artisans and traders requested for a six week grace-period from National Security, beginning from the last week of January 2018, to enable them move” and as a result the request was just being met.

“President Akufo-Addo has taken the view that the national purse should not be burdened on a matter such as this, and has gone on to pay these compensations from his personal resources,” the statement further read.

The compensation packages reportedly ranges between GHC 2,000 and GHC 10,000. But several affected indigenes are crying foul stating that the amount is too meagre to cater for expenses of their relocation. They added that they wouldn’t be able to foot the bill for provision of essential amenities such as electricity and rent. On Friday March 9, there was backlash on the government after reports emerged that traders and residents had been given up to Thursday [March 15] to pack out of the area.

Below is the full statement