The National Communications Director for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Richard Ahiagbah in his latest comment suggests that there is truth in the claims by John Dramani Mahama that he is not receiving benefits due him as a former President.
Speaking to TV3 in an interview on the Ghana Tonight Show, the 2020 presidential candidate of the NDC disclosed that he has been denied several benefits he is supposed to enjoy including an office and payment of his bills.
“I receive only my monthly pension like [former] President Kufuor, and [late former] President Rawlings was receiving [it] before he died. That is all I get.
“I pay the electricity bill for my house and my office, I pay the water bill for my house and my office. I live in my own accommodation so the State does not pay me anything for accommodation.
“They haven’t given me an office, I rent an office in East Cantonments, I pay the rent myself, I pay my own fuel, the State doesn’t give me fuel, I pay my own domestic staff, I pay my own medical bills, I pay my own air tickets when I travel,” former President John Dramani Mahama said.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Richard Ahiagbah accused the former President of peddling falsehood, while insisting that he is enjoying himself as enshrined in the Constitution under Article 71.
Today, the NPP Communications Director appears to be taking a different turn. Speaking to Citi News' Umaru Sanda Amadu, he said there were conversations to get an office for ex-President John Dramani.
But when asked by the host whether the office including other entitlements has been executed, Mr Ahiagbah could not answer 'Yes or No' — leaving many to believe the claim of the former President.
“The government of Ghana is working to give him an office. There is a conversation to get him an office. If the office has not been given to him the letter I have here has not confirmed it but what it tells me is that there is a conversation to give him an office and his office is aware,” the NPP Communications Director said.
On the non-payment of the former President’s utility bills, Mr. Richard Ahiagbah stressed that if that is the case, John Dramani Mahama should know the steps to take for the challenge to be addressed.
“He is supposed to get that benefit. If he is not getting it what is stopping him [from getting]. That’s a conversation we need to have,” the NPP Communications Director added.
Credit: Modern Ghana