The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has described as false comments made by Former President John Dramani Mahama over alleged non-payment of some entitlements due him by the State.
The Party said evidence obtained from the Office of the Chief of Staff indicated that the State had provided official vehicles to Mr Mahama and also catered for the salaries of the staff of the former President.
Former President Mahama, in a recent media interview, said he catered for his own bills, including electricity, water, medical bills, and staff salaries, adding that he only received his monthly pension from the State.
Addressing a news conference in Accra on Wednesday, Mr Richard Ahiagbah, Director of Communications for the NPP, said the Government had not denied Mr Mahama any of the entitlements guaranteed under Article 71 of the 1992 Constitution.
“We have evidence of correspondence between former President Mahama’s office and the Chief of Staff contradicting his (Mahama) claims. We also have a letter from the former President’s Office introducing his staff and who the State should pay.
“We have correspondences from the Office of the Chief of Staff facilitating the payment of these salaries,” he said.
Mr Ahiagbah said once the Emoluments Committee had completed its work on entitlements for Article 71 office holders, all beneficiaries received what was due them by the State.
The Office of the Former President is yet to respond to the allegations.
Article 71 office holders include the President, the Vice President, the Speaker of Parliament, Members of Parliament, Ministers of State, political appointees, and some public servants whose salaries are charged on the Consolidated Fund and enjoyed certain privileges.
Like all Article 71 office holders, Presidents retire on their salaries and are entitled to allowances, facilities and privileges and retiring benefits or awards recommended by the Presidential Emoluments Committee and approved by Parliament.
In a recent interview, Former President Mahama said he would review Article 71 of the Constitution if he was re-elected in the 2024 presidential election.
The NPP, however, challenged Mr Mahama to return all benefits he had received under Article 71 to justify his “seriousness” about reviewing the law.
Mr Ahiagbah questioned why Mr Mahama did not review the law during his tenure as President, accusing him of failing to implement the recommendations of the Constitution Review Commission in 2012.
“What former President Mahama is saying today cannot be taken seriously because he has already failed Ghanaians on this matter,” he said.
Latest Stories
-
Emotional support alligator taken and released in swamp
5 mins -
A mate is a mate, Bawumia can’t be in the driver’s seat – NDC Communicator
7 mins -
Over 400 million Google accounts have used passkeys, but our passwordless future remains elusive
10 mins -
Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park surpasses Aburi Gardens as most visited site in 2023 – GTA
12 mins -
Third IFC EDGE Students Design Competition opens in Ghana
21 mins -
Baidoo: Disgraceful maltreatment of the Black Princesses must stop
30 mins -
Telecel Ghana commits to community collaboration during Western Region tour
39 mins -
Chieftaincy Ministry shouldn’t have written the letter – Atuguba on Akufo-Addo-chiefs saga
44 mins -
Joe Vibe strikes a ‘Pose’ with new song
48 mins -
Works begin on inner-city roads in Ho
59 mins -
GJA to commemorate World Press Freedom Day in Koforidua
1 hour -
West Ham ban director Tim Steidten from dressing room as search continues for new manager
1 hour -
I haven’t been treated well by the NPP but I remain loyal – Former NPP MP
2 hours -
IGP petitioned to probe Kwadaso MP over ‘white envelope’ incident
2 hours -
Black Sherif should pray for Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy to remain at loggerheads – Ajagurajah
2 hours