President-elect Akufo-Addo tours Flagstaff House

The President-elect, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, was given a feel of what his working environment for the next four years will be when he was conducted round the Flagstaff House by the outgoing President,  Mr John Dramani Mahama, yesterday.

Accompanying the President-elect was the incoming Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who will operate from the northern wing of the imposing edifice occupied by the outgoing Vice-President, Mr Kwasi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur, who was also present at the meeting.

Nana Akufo-Addo, who moves into office on January 7, 2016, will be the second President to occupy the Flagstaff House.

Both President Mahama and Nana Akufo-Addo were full of smiles as they toured the building, considered Africa’s fifth most beautiful Presidential Palace.

It was built by the Kufuor administration with a facility from the Indian government.

The late President J.E.A. Mills refused to use the building, citing security reasons.

But, on winning the December 7, 2012 presidential election, President Mahama moved to occupy the building, but not without controversy over the name, which was changed  from Jubilee House to Jubilee Flagstaff House and finally to Flagstaff House.

One thing is still unclear — whether the name Flagstaff House will be maintained by Nana Akufo-Addo.

He has, over the years, referred to the presidential palace as the Jubilee House.

Perhaps the most important place President Mahama took his successor to was the President’s Office.

It is that spacious room that Nana Akufo-Addo will use as his office.

There is a Conference Room attached to the President’s Office.

The cordial atmosphere in which the meeting between the two gentlemen and the subsequent tour of the facility took place was yet another testament to the democratic credentials the nation has built for itself.

 “I hope all went well,” President Mahama seems to be saying to Nana Akufo-Addo after conducting him round the Flagstaff House. With them are Vice-President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur and Dr Mahamudu Bawumia. Picture: EBOW HANSON

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Before the tour, President Mahama had mentioned that Ghana had earned the reputation as an oasis of peace and champion of democracy.

 He said the last  general election had given further meaning to Ghana’s enviable reputation as a beacon of democracy.

He indicated that the maturity exhibited by both the outgoing National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration and the incoming New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration would have a firm place in history.

For his part, Nana Akufo-Addo Addo gave an assurance that his administration would put the interest of Ghanaians first.

He said the smooth transition was the envy of the world.

Nana Akufo-Addo promised to strengthen democratic and public institutions to enhance their activities.