President sets up special committee to advise on use of Flagstaff House

President John Dramani Mahama has set up a special committee to advise government on a phased movement of the Presidency from the Osu Castle to the Flagstaff House.

The Committee chaired by Commodore Steve Obimpeh (Rtd.), Senior Presidential Staffer, will among other things review the security, logistics and equipment related issues required to make the Flagstaff House usable and appropriate for the Presidency.

A statement from the Presidency signed by Spokesperson, John Jinapor, said the decision followed an inspection tour of the Flagstaff House by the President recently.

He was accompanied by Vice President Kwesi Amissah Arthur, Chief of Staff, John Martey Newman, National Security Coordinator Lt. Col. Larry Gbevlo-Lartey (Rtd.), and other officials of the Presidency.

The inspection revealed that in addition to other identified problems, there were also leakages in the main block while the central air-condition units were also non-operational.

The lifts in both the Presidential and Vice Presidential blocks were also not working.

The statement indicated that late President Mills held a number of ceremonies and meetings at the Flagstaff House and that President Mahama had directed the Committee to work fast so that some ceremonies and Cabinet meetings could be held at the Flagstaff House.