Former Chief of Staff dares gov’t to set up barracks in Jubilee House

Former Chief of Staff dares gov’t to set up barracks in Jubilee House
By Masahudu Ankiilu Kunateh, Ghanadot

October 2, Ghanadot - Former Chief of Staff Kwadwo Mpiani has debunked the necessity of a residential facility for guards at Jubilee House, the new presidential palace .

This was in response to Deputy Information Minister, Okudzeto Ablakwa's hint yesterday that government would need an additional $50 million to finish Jubilee House, 35 million of which would be used to construct a security residence for guards before President Mills could move in.

He added that a plot of land owned by the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, which is close to the palace, would be the most appropriate location for such a residential facility.

But Mr. Mpiani challenged the deputy Minister to give any example in the world where residence for the presidential guards was located right in the presidency.

“Do you have any presidential palace where the guards lived in there with the president? Tell me where” he quizzed

He argued the Jubilee House in its current form has security posts dotted at vantage points in the palace where guards offered 24 hour protection to the presidency.

He said the former president worked from the same location without the necessity of a security residence.

Meanwhile, the Mills administration has hinted it might revert the Presidential palace to its original name the Flagstaff house.

The palace was named as Golden Jubilee by ex-President Kufuor after the completion of the imposing edifice.

But the Deputy Minister of Information said government was following the debates over the name change with keen interest and would not hesitate to bring back back the Flag Staff House if it was the overwhelming decision of Ghanaians.

Ghanadot