Rawlings Declared Asserts

The Crusading Guide newspaper says that it has stumbled upon the assets declaration form containing the assets and liabilities formally declared by Ghana’s ex-President Jerry John Rawlings, as at January 16, 2001. The paper says the ex-President had declared the following as at January – A chalet and wooden hut, situated at Tefle, in the Volta Region, which he said was given to him as a gift in 1996. Its status is a leasehold. Others are a house under construction at North of Accra – Tema Motorway, date of acquisition is stated as August 1992 while construction began in 1995; a building plot situated at Kitase bought at the price of ?9 million in September 1996 and yet another chalet and wooden hut at Tefle which was acquired in November 1998 at ?5.5 million.

Both are freehold. Other properties listed by the ex-President as constituting parts are two Agro-forestry lands situated at Fievie and Woe, bought in June 1999 and February 2000 at ?15 million and ?11.5 million respectively. Both are stated as freehold.

With regards to vehicles, the ex-President declared a Buick Rievera, GT 8817 N, describing it as a gift. He also stated that it was joint ownership, presumably belonging to him and his darling wife, Nana Konadu. A MGBGT is also listed with its date of purchase stated as January 1997. On his average income per annum from employment or business (former President and UN Eminent person), he gave a figure of ?37,717,88.00.

His cash balances or value of deposits of securities are given as ?56,886,421.86 (Ghana Commercial Bank – Burma Camp) and ?45,767,875.57 (Ghana Commercial Bank – High Street). Mr. Rawlings gave ?43,488,000 as his savings in Treasury Bills as well as ?116,745,191 as the value of ESB (Ex-Gratia) cheques he received upon his exit from office.

Under section 7 of the Assets declaration form, which requires one to voluntarily, provide information relating to “your assets and liabilities not included in the above” the ex-President disclosed that miscellaneous gifts were passed on to State Protocol and Museum, personal tax deductions donated to charity and Africa Prize for Leadership In The Fight For Sustainable End To Hunger ($50,000) donated to University of Development Studies.

Under section 2, Clause F which deals with Jewellery /objects of art, Mr. Rawlings listed Fridges, Freezers, TVs and decks, air conditioners, furniture, crockery, jewellery, pianos, library, cookers, kettle, sewing machine etc as assets he jointly owns with his wife. The date of purchase of these household items was given as from 1970-2000. No specific quantities or money value were provided.

The declaration of assets by the ex-President under reference was done in accordance with Article 286 of the 4th Republican Constitution. The Crusading Guide says it is continuing the tracking of assets and accounts of the Rawlingses and shall soon give Ghanaians the opportunity to assess whether the ex-President was truthful in his declaration as demanded by the laws of the land.