No state funds involved in President’s House — Ohene

THE Office of the President has described as “a scurrilous report” a publication in an Accra weekly that public funds are being used to renovate the residence of President J. A. Kufuor.

A release issued in Accra and signed by Ms Elizabeth Ohene, Government Spokesperson, said even though works are being done in the house, “no state funds have been used in any of the works”.

“All the work has been and is being done under the supervision of Mrs Theresa Kufuor and no state funds have been used,” it explained.

It said the President does not need state funds to renovate his house.

The release explained, however, that state funds are being used for works outside the house. These include the clearing of the ground, installation of security lights and construction of a car park to accommodate visitors to the President’s house.

The release said although the Constitution stipulates that the President of the Republic be housed by the state, no house has been identified for the President and his family.

It said President Kufuor has been living in his private house and with the increased traffic and his status as the Head of State, some work is being carried out.

The release reiterated that the Castle is in a state of disrepair, adding that the residential quarters would not be adequate for Mr Kufuor because “President Kufuor prefers to live with his family”.

The Ghana Palaver, a private weekly, last week published a story in which it stated that “huge amounts, estimated to be running into millions of cedis of state funds, are being used to renovate the President’s private residence”.