Here is why Mahama copied Asantehene in withdrawal letter

Former president John Mahama has officially written to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, stating his decision to withdraw a request to keep the bungalow that served as his official residence.

Former President John Dramani Mahama has come under serious attack for requesting to continue to stay in his current residence located at Cantonments, and use a bungalow at Ridge as his office.

His request has spark controversy both in the mainstream media and social media with some people expressing their disapproval with it whiles others do not find anything wrong with it.

In order to put the matter to rest, former president Mahama has penned a letter to President Nana Akufo-Addo indicating his decision to withdraw his earlier requests. He believes this controversy has the potential to mar the spirit of cooperation with which both transitional teams managed smooth transfer of power after the December polls.

“It would appear that these requests threaten to mar the spirit of cooperation with which we as co-chairs of the Joint Transitional Team have managed the smooth transition of power from my administration to yours,” Former President Mahama wrote in his letter dated Tuesday, 10th January, 2017.

In his withdrawal letter, he copied Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and this has brought a new twist to this matter sparking a debate as to why the King of the Ashanti Kingdom was copied.

We are reliably informed that, there was a meeting between John Mahama and Nana Akufo-Addo during the Transition process which Otumfuo Osei Tutu was present. It was during the meeting that President Nana Addo asked former president John Mahama of his preference with regards to accommodation. John Mahama then said he prefers to stay where he is living now since it is not an official bungalow for Vice President or President.

According to our source, President Akufo Addo was pleased with this and said, “Good then it means we don’t need to build a new house for you.”

Find a copy of the letter below:

Below is the full letter written by John Mahama
Mr. President, Tuesday January 10, 2017 OFFICIAL RESIDENCE AND OFFICE I refer to our agreement on the above subject matter and wish to inform you that I have decided to formally withdraw both requests to continue to stay at my current place of residence, No. 3. Prestige Link, Cantonments and also to use bungalow No. 6, 3rd Avenue, Ridge as my office.

It would appear that these requests threaten to mar the spirit of cooperation with which we as co-chairs of the Joint Transition Team have managed the smooth transfer of power from my administration to yours. I believe that this controversy is absolutely not needed in these early days as your Government settles into office.

I do recognize that these are facilities that are conventionally extended to Presidents that leave office and I am also mindful of the approval by the Parliament of the Republic of Ghana on Wednesday, 4th January, 2017 at its Twenty-Second Sitting of the Third Meeting of the Fourth Session.

You will recall, Mr. President, that contrary to the erroneous impression created by some persons in Government and the interpretation given to the formal letter submitted on my behalf by Mr. Julius Debrah, this was a follow up to an agreement we had on my choice of accommodation and office. I had never requested to purchase the property.
My request is therefore humbly withdrawn.

As always, my family and I wish you well in your endeavors as you strive to consolidate and advance the gains made by successive Governments. Kind regards, H.E. JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA FORMER PRESIDENT, REPUBLIC OF GHANA H.E NANA ADDO DANKWA AKUFO-ADDO PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA
Cc: Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II
Manhyia Palace
Kumasi- Ghana