Why ex-appointees won’t quit official residence

Former Tourism Minister, Jake Obetsebi Lamptey has justified his continued stay in official state residence months after abdicating his ministerial position in search for the New Patriotic Party’s presidential slot.

Describing his Independence Avenue Residence and that of others as “grace and favour houses,” Mr. Lamptey noted there were reasons why Ministers were not be ejected from their state residences.

“There are softer reasons that lie within the office of the President to allow people to use government properties for other reasons.”

Speaking in an interview to JOYFM on Monday, the former Minister insisted it was not the first time ex-government appointees overstayed their state residence.

“Do you remember Ebo Tawiah, he was a member of the Provisional National Democratic Congress (PNDC). The PNDC came out of office in January 1993 but he stayed in official residence until 2001.

According to him, he would quit the residence when his work was done.

Meanwhile, a number of ex-appointees continue to enjoy this “grace and favour."

Mr. Kofi Adda, former Energy Minister, Mr. Kwamena Bartels, former Interior Minister, and Mr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, former Minister of Trade and NEPAD, are just to mention but a few.

Investigations by Joy News have revealed that Kojo Mpiani Chief of Staff has foiled several attempts by the officials of the Ministry of Housing to relocate the ex-appointees.

Some of these officials who spoke in anonymity accused the Chief of Staff of jumping to the rescue of the ex-appointees any time attempts were made to eject them.

Some of the ex-appointees however claim they are yet to be served notices to vacate their residences.