Nana Addo, who is currently out of the country for the 5^th edition of the Africa CEO Forum in Geneva, Switzerland, in an audio posted on his Facebook page apologized for his absence as the NPP marks one year of Jake’s passing, saying “I have to apologize for not being with you on this, still for me, very sad occasion. But I am there with you in spirit. I’ve had to leave the country to go and do some work in Switzerland. What’s going on there is the biggest gap for me personally in our victory of 7 December 2016. “

[contextly_sidebar id=”FqzcA3zDTvoP4L2gdCwCEeLg3ZLh6IvS”]Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey passed away on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in London after battling an ailment.

The President, in the audio clip, described Jake as a pillar and stalwart of the Danquah-Dombo-Busia tradition who he would have wished shared in his victory.

“This fine man was a huge pillar and stalwart of the Danquah-Dombo -Busia political tradition. The stalwart of the NPP, the stalwart of the Ghanaian nation, is not with us at a time when his presence would have been very welcome; his mind and his spirit, but that is the way of God and we have to accept it and in fact we rejoice in it. It has always been my expectation that victory which I was sure one day will come no matter how long it took, will be one I will share with a man whom I knew from the very beginning of my life and with whom I stayed friends all through.”

“I have no doubt that he is in a good place.  I want all of you to share that sentiment with me,” he added.

The President also extended his condolence to Jake’s family and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), saying “Once again, I am sorry I am not with you. My spirit is there and my condolence goes out to his valiant wife and his children… All his daughters and all of those who he embraced, loved and fathered. My condolence to all of you.”

“My deepest condolence goes to the New Patriotic Party which continues to experience his absence. We will always miss him. I’ve still been unable to adjust to his absence. God bless him and God bless all of you. Thank you.”

About Jake Obetsebi Lamptey

From 2005 to July 2007, Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey served as the Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations under President John Kufuor.

He was the National Campaign Manager of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) during the 2000 elections, which saw the first constitutional transition of power under the Fourth Republic.

Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey also served as a Chief of Staff for the Kufuor administration.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah

The post I’ve still not “adjusted” to Jake’s death – Nana Addo appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

[contextly_sidebar id=”QLHSkFZjejpNbHrvlY1VY2lic9zaKmrZ”]John Mahama, as President, directed the abolition of the policy that allows public office holders to purchase state bungalows allocated to them in 2013.

Making reference to this, Mr. Boye said the former President must simply abide by his own directives.

“There are rules and regulations guarding official residential facilities, and the former president should also abide by the rules and regulations. He himself set up the rule that no official person takes an official residence when he is going out… If he is a law abiding citizen, he should go by the rules.”

Jake bungalow saga

The group also made particular reference to attempts made by elements of the erstwhile National Democratic Congress (NDC) government to prevent the late Jake Obetsebi Lamptey from keeping a government bungalow he had paid for when he was Minister of Tourism during the John Kufuor government.

“This is a Ga land, and they ejected Gas from the land when they were there [in power]. They even took Jake Obetsebi Lamptey to court for acquiring a Ga land. Why should he [Mahama] still stay in that residence saying he wants to acquire it? No, he can’t do that. We won’t allow that.”

“If a Ga citizen cannot acquire a Ga land, nobody then can acquire a Ga land,” Mr. Boye insisted.

In 2012, the then Deputy Information Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and the then Deputy Sports Minister, Dr. Omane Boamah, sued Jake Obetsebi Lamptey at the Supreme Court accusing him of abusing his office by acquiring public property for personal gain.

The Supreme Court subsequently ruled in favour of Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, and ordered government to hand over keys to the bungalow.

The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry at the time, Nii Lantey Vanderpuije, was occupying the house.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Ga-Dangme group to protest over Mahama’s retirement home appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.