Deputy Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Amidu Issahaku Chinnia, faced a stern rebuke during the Good Morning Ghana programme on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, when he made claims about former President John Dramani Mahama acquiring state properties, including lands, during his tenure.
Chinnia, who also serves as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Sissala East, alleged that Mahama and his appointees had purchased state assets while in office.
“The state assets John Dramani Mahama sold are more than this government. Even the bungalow he lived in as Vice President, when he was leaving, he wrote for that bungalow to be given to him. He bought state lands,” Chinnia asserted.
This claim prompted the programme’s host, Dr. Randy Abbey, to challenge Chinnia for evidence. “Who bought state lands?” Dr. Abbey inquired.
Chinnia responded, “Officials of the NDC. They bought a lot of it, including former President Mahama.”
When Dr. Abbey pressed further for proof, Chinnia mentioned, “Did President Mahama not write a letter for the state to hand over his official residence to him?”
Dr. Abbey accused the deputy minister of misleading the public, clarifying that Mahama had requested the residence as his official accommodation, a right entitled to him, and not for purchase.
“Please hold on. Please hold on. Please hold on. On the issue of that official residence, we all know the facts. Why are we twisting it? Please, let us respect our audience. You can’t sit on this programme and make a statement to the effect that the former President bought state lands and not prove it. Which land, which state land did he buy? Just tell us,” Dr. Abbey demanded.
Chinnia, unable to provide concrete evidence, maintained his stance, stating, “I would get it (the evidence) to you. He bought state lands. He offered to buy his official residence.”
Dr. Abbey reiterated, “He (Mahama) never, ever bought state lands. He never wrote to buy his state bungalow. It didn’t happen.”
After a prolonged exchange, Chinnia conceded that he did not have immediate proof that Mahama bought state lands but insisted that the former president had expressed interest in purchasing his official residence.