Former Chief of Staff Kwadwo Mpiani has challenged the necessity of a residential facility in presidential palace for guards. Deputy Information Minister, Okudzeto Ablakwa had hinted government needed an additional $50 million, 35 million of which would be used to construct a security residence in the presidential palace-the Golden Jubilee House, before President Mills could move in.
He explained a plot of land owned by the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, which is close to the palace will be most appropriate for such a residential facility. But Mr. Mpiani in an interview with Joy News challenged the deputy Minister to give any example in the world where residence for the presidential guards is 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 near completion of the imposing edifice. But the deputy minister of Information said government is following the debates over the name change with keen interest and will not hesitate to bring back back the Flag Staff House if it is the overwhelming decision of Ghanaians.
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