His Excellency, President John Evans Atta Mills, today, Tuesday, November 10th, briefly performed his first official duties from the Jubilee House after 10months in office by receiving letters of credence from three envoys accredited to Ghana.
Dressed elegantly and looking resplendent in a rich kente cloth, President Mills received the envoys accredited to the country to represent their various governments as ambassadors.
They included Ambassador Luca Frantini from Italy, Ms. Anneli Vourinen Finland and Mr. Luis Stali from Mexico. The envoys were accorded the ceremonial guard honors.
But today�s ceremonial meeting at the Presidential Palace is a transient occurrence with no long-term effect says Presidential Spokesperson, Mahama Ayariga.
He says the President, Prof J.E.A Mills, would use the Golden Jubilee House put up by the previous government, �as and when it becomes necessary� before he permanently moves in.
Speaking in an interview on PEACEFM during the 6pm bulletin, Mahama Ayariga said the president undertook today�s assignment at the Jubilee House, based on the recommendations of the State Protocol Department. He sought to correct the impression that President Mills does not want to move into the Golden Jubilee building following deprecating comments made by some members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) regarding the construction of the edifice, when the NDC was in opposition.
�The function at the Jubilee house (today) is a one-time function�he (President Mills) will not be there always. The protocol department recommended it�anytime the protocol dept comes up with the suggestion again, it will be duly considered�the president never said he will not use the Jubilee edifice,� he explained.
According to him, any time there is a state function that calls for the utilization of the Jubilee House, government will go ahead and use facilities at the place. He however, quickly added that �it doesn�t mean the president is functioning from two offices.�
Asked when the President will finally move into the building, Mr. Ayariga said, �only the president can determine when he will permanently move in�he will have to take advice from technical team constructing the building�and also seek advice from the national security...as and when everything is okay. It will be public knowledge when he finally decides to move in,� he said.
<<Print>>