Maverick Brong Ahafo Regional First Vice Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwame Baffoe popularly known as Abronye DC has alleged that the wife of the former President, Mrs. Lordina Mahama was receiving 82,000 US dollars as her per diem when NDC was in power.

Mr. Mahama had purportedly said the current development where family members of President Akufo-Addo have been appointed to occupy key government positions makes a mockery of the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) criticisms of him [Mahama] when the party was in opposition.

"The thing is in politics, be careful what you say because tomorrow it will come to haunt you; and that is exactly what is haunting them [NPP]...Now today relatives everywhere and when you raise it - nepotism - they say 'no it doesn't matter if it's the President's relative. It depends on whether they are qualified. '"

"Oh, 'whether they are qualified'. Who doesn't have qualified relatives? I have PhD degree holders in my family..." he said.

But in a statement signed by the NPP's outspoken communicator, he accused the former President, Mr. Mahama of financing his wife, Mrs. Lordina Mahama abroad to the tone of $82,000 anytime she was traveling when the NDC was in power from 2012 till 2017 January.

According to the statement, "In a letter dated 25/10/13, with reference number CA/OP/31/V314 signed by the then Chief of Staff, Prosper Bani authorized the former first lady to receive that huge amount as travelling allowance when she was travelling to the USA".

The statement added "This means that, the government of Ghana under John Mahama always financed the trips of the former first lady, and also pays her $82, 000 whilst the Ghanaian youth were still begging and crying for jobs".

The statement emphasized that the Akufo-Addo government is not looting the state as former President John Manana's did.

"The Nana Addo family and friends government do not loot, create and share state funds like John Mahama did. They do not use intellectual means to rob the state like John Mahama's 'criminals' did. Ghanaians must note that, just one robbery by the 'notorious criminal's Government would be able to cater for all the salaries and small allowances of the supposed Nana Addo family and friends Government", the statement opined.

The statement also alleged that on 25/10/13, the same Chief of Staff, Mr. Bani authorized the payment of $101,317. 00 to the former President John Mahama as per diem on his visit to France.

The statement emphasized that whilst Ghanaians were suffering under John Mahama's administration, the former president and his wife and also those friends around him were enjoying the state's money.

Below is the full statement:

RE: AKUFFO ADDO IS RUNNING A NEPOTISM, BLOATED GOVERNMENT

Former President John Dramani Mahama claims the New Patriotic Party and the president is running a "nepotism bloated Government". Mr. Mahama further accuses the president for being selective and working with "only his family members".

I would want all Ghanaians to know the kind of nepotistic, greedy and self centered Governance we had under Mahama.

To start with, the wife of Mr. John Mahama (Mrs. Lordina Mahama) always receives an amount of $82, 558.74 from the Government Of Ghana whenever she travels outside the country.

This means that, the Government of Ghana under John Mahama always financed the trips of the former first lady, and also pays her $82, 000 whilst the Ghanaian youth were still begging and crying for jobs.

In a letter dated 25/10/13, with reference number CA/OP/31/V314 signed by the then Chief of Staff Prosper Bani authorised the Former First lady to receive that huge amount as travelling allowance when she was travelling to he USA.

It is undebatable that, the Government run by the former president was made up of intellectual criminals led by an intellectually inclined 'notorious criminal'.

Assuming without admitting that, the averments of John Mahama is true, the Nana Addo family and friends govt doesn't loot, create and share state funds like that of John Mahama did. They do not use intellectual means to rob the state like John Mahama's 'criminals' did.

Ghanaians must note that, just one robbery by the 'notorious criminal's' Government would be able to be able to cater for all the salaries and small allowances of the supposed Nana Addo family and friends Government.

Secondly, in a letter dated 26/11/13, Mr. Proper Bani the then Chief of Staff issued a letter which authorised for the payment of $95,558.00 as per diem to president him self on a 4 day visit to the USA. The Government of Ghana paid them these monies as allowances for travelling.

Thirdly again on 25/10/13, the same Chief of Staff authorised the payment of $101,317. 00 to the president as per diem on his visit to France.

All these monies were paid within just a month. i.e between October and November to one person and his wife by the sweat of the tax payer hustling on the streets. This is gross wickedness and we must not allow sure h people to rule as again.

It will be prudent for Ghanaians to know that, as at the time the "notorious criminal's" Government was paying all these monies to his immediate friends and family, the ordinary Ghanaian people were battling with the following problems;

1. Power crises (Dumsor)

2. High Cost of SHS fees

3. High cost of electricity

4. Debt swallowing the NHIS service providers

5. Unemployment

6. Non payment of nursing trianee allowance

7. Non payment of teacher's salaries

8. And many more issues.

Whilst the citizens were suffering with all these problems, the then Government led by the 'notorious criminal' of our century (Mahama) was enjoying with his wife, family and immediate friends around him.

Signed!

Kwame Baffoe Abronye