President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s administration “has produced enough paint to paint the whole nation black,” former president John Dramani Mahama has said.

Mr Mahama’s comment comes on the heels of an exposé by investigative journalist Manasseh Azuri Awuni on how the Osu Castle, a former seat of government, has become a training ground for a pro-government militia group called De-Eye.

Four ministers of state at the Office of the President currently have their offices at the castle. They are Minister of state in charge Inner-city and Zongo Development, Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid; Minister of State in charge of Special Development Initiatives, Hawa Koomson; the Minister of State in Charge of Planning, Professor Gyan Barfour; as well as the Minister of State at the Office of the President, Rockson Bukari.

The Commission of Inquiry into the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election violence also holds its sittings at the castle.

The same venue is where, according to the exposé, De-Eye militia group has been operating since the New Patriotic Party won power in the December 2016 elections.

Reacting to the exposé, Mr Mahama, in a tweet said: “Watched a harrowing exposé of how the Osu Castle, until 2013, the office of the President, now used as an Annex, has become the HQ & training camp of a private militia wing of the NPP & @NAkufoAddo. Clearly, this admin has produced enough paint to paint the whole nation black.”

Meanwhile, Nana Akufo-Addo has called on the NPP and the NDC to meet to disband militia groups affiliated to both parties.

The president said if the two parties do not voluntarily disband their militia groups, he will disband them himself through legislation.

Watched a harrowing expose of how the Osu Castle, until 2013 the office ofthe President, now used as an Annex, has become the HQ & training camp of a private militia wing of the NPP & @NAkufoAddo. Clearly, this admin has produced enough paint to paint the whole nation black.

— John Dramani Mahama (@JDMahama) March 8, 2019