Audio By Carbonatix
A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) communications team, Peter Boamah Otokunor says he disapproves of president John Mahama's decision to relocate the presidency to the Flagstaff House.
According him, the edifice Presidential Palace has too many security risks to be used by the president.
The building, originally named Jubilee House because its construction coincided with Ghana's 50th anniversary, was constructed under the erstwhile Kufuor government and was financed by the Indian government.
Former President Kufuor came under intense criticism mainly from leaders of the then opposition NDC who accused the government of being insensitive to the plight of Ghanaians and engaging in profligate and extravagant expenditure.
After winning the 2008 elections, the late president John Mills refused to occupy the building, citing security issues.
However, President John Mahama last Thursday moved the seat of government from the colonial relic, the Osu Castle, to the Flagstaff House. But some NPP officials have described the move as hypocritical.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s Kukurantumi Programme Saturday, Peter Boamah Otokunor said president Mahama should never have relocated to the presidential mansion.
He explained that the location of the building was neither strategic nor is the building itself safe.
“when we came to power in 2009, late president Mills saw that the building has a defect and huge challenges so he failed to use the building as a seat of government but housed the foreign ministry in it as a way of not leaving it to rot so why this time round? I think where the palace is situated is not good for the security of the president due to its nearness to 37 military hospital and other private institutions. Look at the busy nature of the Kanda and 37 roads, how can the president live and work under these intense pressures? I believe the president must think of leaving that building” he said.
The NDC member asserted that the status of the building does not befit a presidential Mansion so the president must reject the palace as a matter of urgency with the view of building a proper presidential palace within his tenure of office.
“If I were Mahama, I would not move into the building and if we have a reason as a country for a presidential palace, we would build a proper one. President Mahama should reconsider building a real presidential palace and relocate the seat of government there in his tenure as president”.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
The world’s oldest president left for a ‘brief stay’ in Europe, he hasn’t returned in two months
13 minutes -
Trapped driver rescued after accident on Kintampo–Tamale highway
25 minutes -
Civil Service must put citizens at centre of decision-making – Vice President
26 minutes -
Firefighters battle blaze at Accra New Town apartment
26 minutes -
Ghana receives five new envoys to strengthen diplomatic relations – Ablakwa
60 minutes -
Europe’s tallest Virgin Mary statue unveiled in rural Poland
1 hour -
Sammi Awuku denies reports of EOCO arrest
1 hour -
Stonebwoy makes history at OVO Arena Wembley with monumental BHIM Festival
2 hours -
Qatar denies capturing three Iranian pilots after downing fighter jets
2 hours -
Tano North chiefs petition Mahama over galamsey destruction in River Tano
2 hours -
Kalpohin SHS, NOBISCO qualify to represent Northern Region at National Public Speaking Competition
3 hours -
Missing records of illegal gold purchases in Ghana raise concern – Duncan-Williams
3 hours -
Duncan-Williams warns of powerful interests targeting GoldBod
3 hours -
We need to pray for GoldBod – Duncan-Williams
4 hours -
Strong favourites or tougher task – will Arsenal defend their title?
4 hours