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General News of Tuesday, 16 January 2001

Source: GNA

'Rawlings okay with present accommodation?

THE former Chief of Staff at the Castle, Nana Ato Dadzie, has stated that Flt. Lt. J. J. Rawlings feels well-settled at the Ridge Residence where his wife Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings and the children have lived for the past many years.

Speaking on his behalf, Nana Ato Dadzie said the former President considers the existing living accommodation as adequate for his retirement needs and prefers to remain settled there. This has already been communicated to the Joint Transitional Team.

As regards the adjoining office accommodation, the ex-Chief of Staff said Flt. Lt. Rawlings finds it satisfactory even if he has to share the facility with Nana Konadu.

He noted that although they experience occasional water shortages due to the low pressure in the area, they can live with the situation.

Nana Ato Dadzie, therefore, described recent media reports on where the former President and his family will be re-settled as mere speculations and wild guess-work. He explained that the State Guest House, popularly known as Australia House situated on the Switchback Road, was purposely refurbished as an additional residential facility for use by visiting Heads of State and other high-level foreign dignitaries and not for any other reason.

He recalled that the refurbishment of that Guest House coincided with the visit of the Sultan of Brunei to Ghana last year, adding that it was never intended to serve as a retirement home for Flt. Lt. J. J. Rawlings.