Former President John Dramani Mahama has recounted a difficult period following his electoral defeat, revealing that he and his wife, Lordina Mahama, were temporarily without accommodation despite expectations that the state would provide housing for a former president.
According to Mr. Mahama, the experience reinforced lessons about perseverance in difficult times and the belief that hardship does not necessarily mean abandonment by God.
Speaking on events after the loss of the election, the former president explained that although there was an understanding that the state would provide accommodation for him, circumstances at the time left the couple searching for a place to live.
He said they had earlier built a modest house, but it was unsuitable for hosting dignitaries and had already been rented out to tenants, making it impractical to reclaim immediately.
“We were a young couple. We had built a small old house. You couldn’t host any head of state in that house. Besides, we had rented it out. There were some Chinese living in it, and after we lost the election, you couldn’t just ask them to leave,” he said.
Mr. Mahama disclosed that he and his wife therefore decided to look for a rental property in Accra, including areas around Kawukudi, Airport Hills and nearby locations. However, their efforts were met with repeated setbacks.
He noted that in some cases, landlords initially agreed to rent their properties but later withdrew after realizing the prospective tenant was the former president who had just lost an election. In one instance, rent was reportedly accepted and a receipt issued, only for the money to be returned once his identity became known.
“At one place, everything was negotiated and agreed. Lordina went there first. When I later went there, that was when they realized it was the former president who had just lost the election. The next day, they said the house was company accommodation and that a general manager was coming from abroad to occupy it,” he recounted.
Mr. Mahama said that during the period, the couple was prepared to accept any livable accommodation due to their situation, describing the experience as humbling and instructive.
The former president’s account comes amid renewed public discussion about his life after leaving office and allegations surrounding property ownership, including claims relating to Chain Homes Estate.
Source: GhanaWeb
