President John Dramani Mahama has strongly dismissed long-standing claims that he owns the upscale Chain Homes Estate in Accra, describing the allegations as completely false and disconnected from reality.

Speaking to residents during a gathering at the estate, the President gave a personal account of how he and his family came to live there, stressing that they are tenants and not the owners of the property, contrary to persistent rumours in political discourse.

According to President Mahama, his move to Chain Homes was not motivated by privilege or real estate investment but by necessity at a time when he and his family were struggling to find suitable rental accommodation in Accra.

“We were looking for a place to rent and we didn’t get,” he told residents.

He explained that after several unsuccessful attempts elsewhere, Chain Homes was suggested as an available option.

“Finally, they said there’s a place at Chain Homes, so we came to check,” he said.

Mahama noted that accepting the accommodation was a practical decision, not a matter of preference. Recounting a conversation with his wife, Lordina Mahama, he said their limited options left them with little choice.

“We have no choice anyway. It’s not about whether we like it, we’ll take it,” he said, emphasising that the decision had nothing to do with owning the estate.

Addressing rumours that have circulated for years, particularly in political debates, the President used humour to underscore what he described as the absurdity of the claim.

“They say it’s Mahama’s estate, so all of you who bought houses here bought them illegally. You should have paid the money to me,” he remarked, drawing laughter from residents.

Beyond debunking the ownership narrative, President Mahama sought to humanise his presence in the community, explaining that he was welcomed as a neighbour rather than as a landlord or estate owner.

“The first person I met that I knew was Paul,” he said, referring to a resident who welcomed him on behalf of others.

He also encouraged residents not to feel uneasy about the security personnel around him, reminding them that his presence should not disrupt the normal life of the community.

“Don’t be intimidated by the soldiers and all that. We’re neighbors,” he added.

Chain Homes Estate, located near Burma Camp in Accra, is widely regarded as one of the city’s premium residential developments, with properties often valued at over one million dollars.

Its exclusivity has frequently been cited by critics as the basis for speculation about President Mahama’s alleged ownership.

However, no public evidence has ever been produced to support such claims.

The recurring allegations reflect a broader trend in Ghanaian politics, where narratives of hidden wealth and undeclared assets are often directed at public office holders, particularly during periods of intense debate over transparency and accountability.