Accra, March 31, GNA - Professor Kofi Awoonor, Chairman of Council of State, has assured Ghanaians that the Council was carrying out its mandate of guiding the government in the right direction. "The Council is not a rubber stamp for the Government, we challenge things that should be challenged for good governance," he said.

Prof. Awoonor gave the assurance at a sod-cutting ceremony for the construction of a two-storey office complex estimated at GH¢2,387,944.54 for the Council in Accra, on Thursday. The building includes offices for the Chairman and Council Members, a parking lot for 30 cars, hard and soft landscaped areas, committee rooms, a medical wing, staff offices, canteen, kitchen and other ancillary facilities.

He said the current Council had been able to marshal the political will to bring the project into fruition by obtaining the funds with the belief that the Council was a very important part of government and should be adequately equipped.

Prof. Awoonor urged the contractors, Messrs Antarctic Contract Works Limited, to complete the project on schedule to serve its purpose.

Mr Rockson K. Yeboah, Engineer-in-Chief of Public Works Department, Consultants on the project, said the contractor went on site on March 9, 2011 and was expected to complete the project on or before November 1, 2012.