Lizards invade Flag Staff House

Some ordinary Ghanaians Economy Times spoke to wondered: If the government that initiates the projects doesn’t complete them before leaving office, why should its successor abandon them?

One of such projects has been the Flagstaff House. Currently, sections of the Flagstaff House which is supposed to be the seat of government have been taken over by weeds in spite of the millions of dollars expended by the Kufuor’s administration on its renovation and fumigation. A preliminary report from the technical team working at the Jubilee House has indicated that $82 million has so far been spent on the facility.

Some Ghanaians Economy Times spoke to were not the least impressed with the state of the edifice. They stated that even if the sitting president and his vice are not ready to move into the edifice, it should at least be maintained.

Many countries in the world have such edifices for their Presidents, examples of which are the White House in the USA, the Buckingham Palace of Great Britain, the Elysee Palace of France, the Kremlin of Russia, the Aso Rock of Nigeria, and the Executive Mansion of Liberia.

Back home in Ghana, the Flag Staff House meant to house the president has been left unattended to. The weeds have grown wild at the Vice presidential wing of the proposed seat of government.

“It is now a breeding place for lizards and rodents,” a security personnel at the project site who pleaded anonymity stated.

The project was constructed through a joint India/Ghana collaboration with the former providing about 70 percent funding. The architecturally unique edifice comprises an office complex to accommodate the President, Vice President, civil and public servants as well as a residence for the President which can accommodate a visiting head of state or government.

The complex houses the official residence of Ghana's first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah which has been dubbed “Nkrumah's Heritage House” in addition to a services building that will house a clinic, restaurant, bank, post office, fire service post as well as a large parking area for vehicles.