Mahama Has Collected GH¢32 Million As Ex-Gratia – Owusu Bempah

Ernest Kofi Owusu-Bempah, the Deputy Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has made serious allegations against former President John Dramani Mahama, claiming that he has spent approximately GH¢32 million of state funds since leaving office in 2017.

In a Facebook post, Owusu-Bempah urged Ghanaians to be skeptical of Mahama’s criticisms of wasteful public spending, alleging that the former President has personally benefited significantly from state resources. He argued that Mahama’s actions contradict his public stance on financial prudence and accountability.

Owusu-Bempah outlined several financial benefits that he claims Mahama has received:

• Ex-Gratia and Allowances: Mahama has reportedly received GH¢18 million from taxpayers and GH¢14 million in ex-gratia since 2017. Despite pledging to abolish ex-gratia if re-elected, he continues to benefit from these funds.

• Salary and Adjustments: Mahama retired with a salary of GH¢22,809, which has increased to GH¢35,000 monthly due to recommendations from the Presidential Emoluments Committee. This adjustment means Mahama has received a non-taxable salary of GH¢1,934,832 since leaving office.

• Accommodation Allowance: Owusu-Bempah claimed that Mahama has been receiving GH¢9,123 per month for rent, totaling GH¢629,487 in accommodation allowance since 2017.

• State-Provided Services and Staff: Mahama allegedly continues to receive state-funded services, including a fully furnished office in Cantonments, Accra, communication equipment, and staff support. His niece, Joyce Bawa Mogtari, and Felix Ofosu Kwakye, reportedly receive GH¢9,000 each month as allowances.

• Transportation and Overseas Trips: The former President has been provided with two Toyota Land Cruiser V8 vehicles, along with a chauffeur. These vehicles, replaced every four years, have cost the state over GH¢1.6 million. Additionally, Owusu-Bempah claimed that the state has spent GH¢324,000 on fuel for these vehicles and funded 18 official overseas trips for Mahama, amounting to over $1,000,000.

Owusu-Bempah asserted that Mahama is the only President in the Fourth Republic to receive such a significant ex-gratia and an unprecedented end-of-service package. He concluded by criticizing Mahama’s continued campaign to return to the presidency, calling his actions hypocritical and a drain on state resources.

“I don’t even want to go into all the emoluments that this ingrate of a former president has enjoyed from his days as Assemblyman, Member of Parliament, Deputy Minister, Minister, Vice President, and President of Ghana. At this opportune time, I don’t know what’s more heartbreaking; Mahama’s gluttonous self-indulgence or his hypocrisy and double standards. I guess the political correctness raison d’être; something that’s legal but yet immoral. In fact, it’s always interesting to know, in these recessionary times when everyone is struggling, that Mr. Mahama is actually draining the state coffers while at the same time campaigning to be president again,” Owusu-Bempah said.

As of now, there has been no response from the office of former President Mahama regarding these allegations.

Source: GhanaFeed.Com