Change of JJ'S guards in line with security policy -Minister

The Minister of the Interior, Alhaji Al-Hassan Malik Yakubu, on Monday explained that the provision of police, rather than military guards for former President Jerry Rawlings was in accordance with Government's internal security policy.

A release in Accra signed by the Minister stated that policemen rather than soldiers undertake security protection of top government and state officials, including the President.

The release said the Government paid particular attention to the quality of the security protection needed for the former president, and has, therefore, directed that the security detail for him should be under the supervision of a very responsible senior police officer.

It added that the Government has been very mindful of its constitutional obligations in making the necessary protection arrangements for the former President, ensuring that all actions taken in this regard accord fully with the constitution.

The Minister said the replacement of soldiers by policemen to guard the former President, which took effect from Wednesday, May 23, was a decision reached after several discussions with representatives of Government, the military, the police and the former President.

According to the Minister, in all the discussions the Government made the fact of the police guarding the former President very clear.

Alhaji Yakubu said the Government has, therefore, done what was to be done in a most responsible and appropriate manner.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) last week protested the withdrawal of former President Rawlings' military guards saying the action violates the Constitution.