THE Government Secretariat has now been moved to the Osu Castle in Accra, after almost nine months in office of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Government.
Vice-President Aliu Mahama, his staff and other key workers at the State House commenced work at the Castle yesterday morning.
President J. A. Kufuor, who is at present in the United Kingdom on an official visit at the invitation of the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, will join the Vice-President at the Castle when he returns on Friday.
The Minister of Private Sector Development, Mr C.O. Nyanor, who had been operating from the Castle, would now move to the State House.
President Kufuor, his vice, Alhaji Mahama and some top government officials had been operating from the State House since the assumption of office of the government on January 7, this year, apparently because of the deteriorating state of the Castle at the time.
In a telephone interview in Accra yesterday, Deputy Minister of Presidential Affairs, Mr Edward Osei-Kwaku, confirmed that the seat of government has been moved to the Castle, adding that there is no question about moving back to the State House.
Asked about the use of the State House after the Presidency has vacated the place, Mr Osei-Kwaku said it serves as the protocol wing of the state and this would be maintained.
He said some state visitors would be received there and some other activities of the government would also take place at the State House.
He said the relocation of the secretariat of the Private Sector Development Minister to the State House would augur well for business groups and visitors.
When the Graphic visited the Castle, it was observed that renovation works on the upper floor were still going on.
Construction and electrical workers and painters were seen busily working together with some interior decorators.
