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A man of power is usually ruined by power, a man of money is ruined by money and of pleasure is ruined by pleasure, But former President John Agyekum Kufuor, appears to have been ruined by money, power and pleasure.
In an act which could easily pass as the ultimate political heist in our country’s history, former President Kufuor allocated to himself, a 1.42 acres of premium government land at a ridiculous price of GH¢4,000.
President John Agyekum Kufuor bought the said premium land located on Plot number 8, Residency Link Ridge Residential area, Kumasi, in the year 2004, just before he ran for re-election.Kumasi residents who spoke to The Enquirer newspaper about the price at which former President Kufuor bought the land was dumbfounded saying “if you know the land that he bought for such a price, you will pick a gun and shoot him”.
A real estate guru in Kumasi sad “a land of that magnitude at that location in Kumasi will cost a minimum of $50,000. It is actually an area you will compare to Cantonment or ridge. It is the most affluent neighborhood in Kumasi. That is where you have Golden Tulip and the Military Mess. That is where most of Ghanaians abroad and the expatriate community reside”.
President Kufuor whilst as president doubled the Presidential salary and quadrupled the presidential per diem and in his final term in office, commissioned his special advisor to repackage his end of service benefits which saw the allocation of premium government bungalows, one in Accra which he lavishly renovated and another house to be located anywhere of his choice but within the country.
The new package also made provision for several chauffer driven bullet proof vehicles maintained and fueled by the state as well as a $1 million grant for him to set up an NGO. He was also to retire on his presidential salary.
The next person on the list of buyers of government land in Kumasi is Mr. Kwadwo Okyere Mpiani, who bought a premium plot I, located at Acacia Close, Ridge Residential area for a laughable GH¢1,000. Mr. Mpiani was President Kufuor’s Chief of Staff. He was also the chairman of the National Development Planning Committee which committed the nation into the famous Ghana@50 celebration. Mpaini bought his land in 2004.
Mr. Sampson Kwaku Boafo, a former Ashanti Regional Minister during Kufuor’s presidency, and later Minister for Chieftancy and Culture at the Office of the President, also bought plot 4, a 0.42 acre enviable real estate at Acacia Close Ridge Residential Area for a paltry GH¢1,000. He bought his land in 2004.
One Prof. Yaw Boafo, also bought plot 2, at the same Acacia Close Ridge Residential area. The size of the plot is 0.46 acres. Prof. Boafo is believed to be brother of S.K. Boafo. Prof Boafo was the Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast and was later appointed by Kufuor as ambassador to Cote D’Ivoir and also held an appointment at the Get Fund.
Emmanuel Owusu Ansah, also a former Ashanti regional Minister on his part acquired a Plot at No. 5, New Lands Ave. Ridge Residential Area for GH¢1,000. The size of his premium government land is 0.54 acreage and it was allocated to him in 2008.
Moreover, former Mayor of Kumasi, Cecelia Appiagyei purchased 0.28 acreage of premium government land for GH¢1,000. The land was located at Militia Ave Ridge Area and allocated to her in 2004.
Hon. Cecilia Dapaah, MP for Bantama also purchased a 0.28 acres on Plot 7, at Militia Avenue Ridge Residential Area and paid Gh¢1,000. She bought her land in 2006 and is said to have already erected a massive building on her plot.
Another lucky purchaser of the land is one Osei Assibey believed to be a former Ashanti Deputy Regional Minister. On paper a plot at Ridge Residential Area stands in his name and was allocated to him in 2008 but there is no indication as to whether he has paid for the land. The land was 0.44 acres of premium land.
One Nana Kwame Kyeretwie and Akwasi Prempeh, believed to be the father of the MP of Manhyia, Hon. Napoleon Prempeh, in 2006 also bought 0.29 acre plot at Militia Close Ridge Residential Area for Gh¢1,000.
Alhaji Hamidu Ibrahim Baryeh, said to be an employee of Lands Commission also bought a 0.22 acre plot at Circular Road Ridge Residential area for GH¢1,000 in 2004. Plot 4, at Residency Link Road, Residential Area, sold at GH¢1,000 stand in the name of one Barima Kwaku Dua, believed to be the Asantehene. The land was allocated in 2004. |
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