Twelve former government officials are reported to have returned their duty post vehicles following the ultimatum issued by government last week. A statement signed by Deputy Information Minister, Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa said the vehicles include some less than two years old as at January 6, 2009, when the New Patriotic Party government was leaving office. Others were vehicles kept wrongfully by persons with no government mandate, while yet a third group had taken away their duty post vehicles without any documentation. The statement sid a few others have made arragements with the appropriate government offices to return vehicles in their custody. Government last week directed all ex-functionaries of the immediate-past administration headed by ex-President J.A. Kufuor, to return all state vehicles they were keeping wrongfully in their custody, including vehicles less than two years old, or be forced to do same. The ultimatum also directed the state security agencies to take immediate steps to retrieve all government registered vehicles in the illegal possession of various persons across the country. According to Mr. Okudzeto Ablakwa, government is however hoping that persons who are still in possession of vehicles, especially those hiding the vehicles, would return them. He explained that apart from persons in possession of vehicles that are less than two years old and those whose names have been listed by the Association of Former Ministers (2001- 2008), “there are over fifty (50) former officials who either drove away vehicles without notification or are keeping state vehicles.” Apart from former ministers, others such as special assistants, special aides, NADMO operatives and persons who were long relieved of their positions are keeping some of the state vehicles. The statement noted government’s appreciation of the various persons who returned their cars, adding that the Chief Director at the Office of the President is processing any refunds that are due persons whose vehicles were less than two years. Among those who have returned their vehicles are Professor Gyan Baffuor- former Deputy Minister for Finance, Clement Eledi - a former Deputy Dinister, Benjamin Aggrey-Ntim - former Minister for Communications and Frederick Opare Ansah- former Deputy Minister for communications. Former Works and Housing Minister, Boniface Abubakar Saddique and ex-Spokesperson for President J.A. Kufuor, Andrew Awuni returned their vehicles on Thursday.