A former Deputy Chief of Staff has chastised the President and his Chief of Staff for what she considers to be unfair treatment of benefits due to former President John Mahama.
Dr. Valerie Sawyerr is accusing President Akufo-Addo and Akosua Frema Osei-Opare of preventing the former President from receiving emoluments due to his status as a statesman.
This comes just a week after the 2020 NDC flagbearer revealed that he receives no financial benefits other than what he is owed while in office.
According to John Mahama, the only remuneration he receives is from pensions, as does every other worker in Ghana.
Aside from that, “I only receive my monthly pension, just like President Kufuor or President Rawlings did until he died.” That’s all.
Dr Sawyerr insists in a statement released on Tuesday that “it is a real shame!”
The NDC member stated that leaving out Nana Akufo-Chief Addo’s of Staff, Frema Osei-Opare, would be incomplete because “if she is competent, she will have a list in front of her of the emoluments of ex-presidents and their spouses.”
“She should know off the top of her head what President John Mahama is entitled to and should be ticking the items off one by one as soon as the constitutional commitments are met.” Unless, of course, she is acting on orders from President Akufo Addo to break the law,” she explained.
Valerie Sawyerr cited the report of the Edu-Buandoh Emoluments Committee, which specified the entitlements for Article 71 office holders.
This, along with other existing mechanisms, leaves her perplexed as to how some NPP members came to the conclusion that Mr. Mahama had received approximately $14 million in perks and benefits.
“Make the calculations.” By any stretch of the imagination, how can a rational human being arrive at a figure of 14 million? Your minions must conduct some research so that when they create Kweku Ananse stories, they do so in a credible manner.”
“The attempt to belittle him cannot be justified,” according to the former President’s advisor. But even there, you’ve failed miserably. President John Mahama continues to tower over President Akufo Addo.”
“With the terrible mismanagement of the economy, the pitiful interventions of Vice President Bawumia, the incompetence and lack of cohesive productivity of government members, and the constant corruption scandals, it is clear that the people of Ghana have given up on your government and are passionately clamoring for the return of President John Mahama,” she added.
