Special adie to former President John Dramani Mahama Joyce Bawah Mogrrai has denied claims that Mr Mahama received GHS32million emolument.
She described the claim made by a Deputy Director of Communications of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ernest Owusu Bempah as false.
Mr Bempahhad said in a statement “Well, I did some digging and it turns out Mahama is not as careful with public money in his own life. Indeed, Mr Mahama had been claiming expenses on his current residential property and emolument since 2017 and could have received as much as ¢18million from the taxpayer, and additional GH¢14 million ex gratia.
In fact, the state has, so far, spent ¢18.5 million on former President John Mahama in terms of salary and his end-of-service benefits since he left office in 2017. Mahama, apart from the GH¢14 million ex gratia, has, since 2017, received a total of GH¢18.5 million from the state as salary and emoluments combined.
More to the point, Mr Mahama retired on a salary of GH¢22,809, up from the non-taxable salary of GH¢15,972 previously approved for presidents. However, he now receives GH¢ 35,000 monthly due to the recent increase in emoluments as recommended by the Presidential Emoluments Committee on the conditions of service of Article 71 officeholders’ report.
Essentially, since Mahama was voted out of office in 2017, he has received a non-taxable salary of GH¢1,934,832.00. He has also received GH¢9,123.00 monthly as rent. This means that since 2017, when Ghanaians voted against John Mahama, Mahama has received an accommodation allowance totalling GH¢629,487.00
“Additionally, Mr Mahama, while on retirement still receives benefits such as state-provided staff not exceeding four (4) including Joyce Bawa Mogtari and Felix Ofosu Kwakye, who receive GH¢ 9,000 every month as allowances and a furnished and up-to-date office located at the Cantonments in Accra and communication equipment and staff support consisting of a cook, steward and gardener.”
But in a Facebook post, Bawah Mogtari said “I have read another unintelligent lie from the Bawumia and Akufo-Addo government routed through a discredited and shallow voice about supposed monies paid to President John Dramani Mahama. Mr Mahama has not received from the State the amounts indicated in the ridiculously false claims.
“As he has repeatedly stated, his only benefit from the State is his constitutionally deserving monthly pension payable to all former presidents, including President John Agyekum Kufour. Mr. Mahama operates from a private office, paying monthly rent.
“It is a fact that the Akufo-Addo government has performed abysmally and is the most corrupt in the history of our country, plunging Ghanaians into unprecedented hardship and poverty. Vice President Bawumia is a puppet being foisted on the nation to avoid the searing heat of accountability and continue the state capture of the last seven and half years.
“Mr Mahama remains steadfast in his promise to fight corruption when he is sworn into office. This includes scrapping the payment of ex-gratia and removing other benefits available to members of the executive and officials of state-owned organisations. This is the kind of leadership that Mahama believes in, a leadership that is committed to fighting corruption and serving the people.”
