Claims by Nitiwul against John Mahama reckless and misleading – Aide

The Office of HE John Dramani Mahama has described as irresponsible and reckless, an allegation by Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul that the former president is occupying or has appropriated a land or property belonging to the Ghana Armed Forces.

A statement released Thursday evening, said while the minister did not provide any details of the said property, “We presume that the minister’s irresponsible claim is in respect of the current residence of the former first family.”

“President Mahama has not appropriated or acquired any land or property belonging to the military and which he is currently occupying.”

The statement said the former president and his family as is commonly known, currently reside in a residential estate developed by a private real estate development company.

Mr Mahama’s Office said the estate has been in existence for several years and the former first family lives peacefully with several Ghanaian and expatriate neighbours.

“This Office is appalled at the minister’s unfounded accusation because any serious Defence Minister, with the Military Intelligence apparatus under him would know that President Mahama has no claim to the ownership of the land of the property in which he resides.”

The statement reminded the Defence Minister to concentrate on the responsibilities of his office instead of making spurious allegations against the former president.

“It is sad that the minister with oversight responsibility over our men and women in uniform, who risk their lives to preserve the security of our nation, would descend into the gutter and dabble in propaganda of the most undesirable kind. This behaviour falls short of the requirements of a Defence Minister whose office calls for sobriety and reflection”, the statement ended.