TheCable

Three days after handing over power to Nana Akufo-Addo, former President John Mahama of Ghana is still occupying his official residence while in power.

Mahama lived in the residence of the vice-president all through the period he was in government.

A former vice-president, he refused to relocate to the official quarters of the president after succeeding John Atta Mills, who died in 2012.

Mahama’s failure to vacate the house when his term ended has reportedly left Mahamudu Bawumia, the incoming vice-president, stranded.

Although Mahama has argued that the transition team as well as parliament had agreed that he maintains the building, critics have continued to lash him.

But the Ghanaian leader has hit back at them, saying they are just being mischievous.

“The decision and agreement on the place of residence and office for the former President was formally communicated to the new administration by the former Chief of Staff Julius Debrah on December 19, 2016,” he said in a statement.

“The claims that Vice-President Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia is stranded and has nowhere to stay, is mischievous and deliberately intended to embarrass President Mahama.

“The Vice-President is expected to take up residence in the House known as Australia House, which was previously occupied by former Vice President Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur.

“An official and permanent residence for the Vice-President is currently under construction, off the Switchback road. Dr. Bawumia will move into the new structure when completed.”

However, Mahama has notified his successor that he is withdrawing his request to remain in his official residence.