In the face of preparations by government to hand over the keys of state bungalow, number 2 Mango Street property at Ridge in Accra to New Patriotic Party (NPP) Chairman, Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, Deputy Education Minister has noted that the court of public opinion will squarely judge him [Jake].
The comment of the deputy minister, Okudzeto Ablakwa comes after some irate youth of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) stormed the number 2 Mango State property, to prevent government from handing over the keys to the bungalow to Mr. Obetsebi Lamptey.
He, therefore, appealed to the NDC youth to allow the law to take its course and leave the rest for posterity.
Mr. Okudzeto Ablakwa was resolute in his conviction that the NPP chairman shortchanged Ghanaians in his purchase of a state bungalow.
He described the purchase of the Number 2 Mango Street property by the NPP top shot as "unpatriotic", "selfish" and lacks moral values.
This follows a High Court ruling, ordering the state to hand over the property to its rightful owner [Jake] after Okudzeto Ablakwa and Dr. Omane Boamah failed to prove the corruption and conflict of interest claims in court.
The current occupant of the house, Nii Lantey Vanderpuije, Deputy Trade Minister is expected to present the keys of the bungalow to the Public Works Department today.
But speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Thursday, Okudzeto Ablakwa said he is saddened by the latest development.
According to him, for an ex-Minister of Tourism and Beautification of the Capital City in the erstwhile Kufuor administration to acquire a state bungalow in the face of the huge shortage of houses for government appointees is unthinkable.
Okudzeto Ablakwa disclosed that about 30 Deputy Ministers in the Mahama-led administration don’t have a place to lay their heads due such shameful acts.
He wondered what will happen to the state if every Minister decides to buy their duty post for serving in government.
The Deputy Education Minister said even though the law court has ruled in favour of Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey, the court of public opinion will judge him [Jake] squarely.
Okudzeto Ablakwa appealed to the NDC youth to allow the law to take its course and leave the rest for posterity.