I receive only my monthly pension, I pay my utility bills myself- Mahama

In spite of holding the office of president of the Republic, John Dramani Mahama has spoken out about the privileges he has been denied.

The former president claims that because he was denied his ex-gratia, he is still responsible for paying for necessities like housing and utilities, which he finds incomprehensible.

Speaking on TV3, John Dramani revealed that the only payment he receives from the state is that of his monthly pension.

“I receive only my monthly pension like President Kufuor, and ex-President Rawlings was receiving [it] before he died. That is all I get”, he stated.

Mr. Mahama said that he is responsible for paying all of his own expenses, including those for power, water, housing and office space, fuel, travel, and medical care, among others, without receiving any help from the government.

“I pay the electricity bill for my house and my office, I pay the water bill for my house and my office. I live in my own accommodation, so the State does not pay me anything for accommodation. They haven’t given me an office, I rent an office in East Cantonments, I pay the rent myself. I pay my own fuel, the State doesn’t give me fuel. I pay my own domestic staff, I pay my own medical bills, I pay my own air tickets when I travel”, the ex-president lamented.

John Mahama reaffirmed that he never accepted GH14 million as an ex-gratia payment in 2013. Kwame Baffoe, also known as Abronye DC, the Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), made the claim.

“He [Abronye DC] says that, in 2013, GH¢14 million was paid into my ADB account. That’s an absolute lie. The only payment that was made to me by government’s accountant general, was my salary arrears of GH¢230,000 in 2013. My bank statement has no GH¢14 million payment. I didn’t receive any such payment.”

A study of the 1992 constitution would be championed by the incoming National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration to address concerns like ex-gratia payments and judicial reform, the former president announced a few weeks ago.

Source: Ghanatodayonline.com