CHIEF OF EDINA ESSAMAN DEBUNKS CLAIMS (PAGE 17, DEC 17)

THE Chief of Edina Essaman, Nana Kwesi Tandoh IV, has debunked claims in a section of the media that President J.E.A. Mills is putting up a mansion for himself at Edina Essaman.
According to Nana Tandoh, who is also the Gyasehen of the Edina Traditional Area, President Mills was not involved in the project.
“It is his two brothers — Dr Cadman Atta Mills and Sammy Mills — who have lived in the United States of America for about 30 years who are financing the project,” he explained, and stressed that he had been associated with the President and his father since his enstoolment as the chief of Essaman in 1979 and, therefore, knew them well.
He said he would vouch for President Mills’ sincerity and honesty and said those spreading the wrong information were only up to mischief.
Nana Tandoh produced a copy of the agreement on the parcel of land measuring 59.30 acres and leased by Nana Kwesi Tandoh III and his elders dated January 23, 1960 and signed by Y. Kenneth Blaidoo of Kisi, which spelt out the details of the lease.
The copy bore the marks of Nana Kwesi Tandoh II, R. Tando, Kweku Atta, Kodwo Appoinyah, Kwesi Fori, Kodwo Kyee, Kwaw Akondoh and Kobina Onsu Nyame Ye.
He said the signatories to the lease from the President’s father’s side were Mrs Emma Afful, Mr Kofi Sam Atta Mills, Mr Cadman Atta Mills, Mrs Mary Davies, Mrs Mercy Quarshie and Mr Samuel Atta Mills.
He said due to the trust, confidence and cordial relationship existing between the two parties, they decided to renew the lease on mutual and satisfactory terms.
He said he started discussions with the President as far back as 2000 on the renewal of the lease agreement and since there was no need to rush, it was suspended for the convenience of both parties.
“The President is truthful to a fault and I want the whole world to know this after knowing him personally for well over 30 years,” Nana Tandoh said.
It would be recalled that a private newspaper carried a story that President Mills was building a mansion on a piece of land at the Atabadze Junction.