Rawlings aware of new security arrangements - Interior Minister

The Ghanaian Government has been explaining the circumstances surrounding the changing of the security detail of former President, Jerry John Rawlings and said he has all along been aware of the change.

Interior Minister, Alhaji Malik Al-Hassan Yakubu says it was clearly stated during discussions held with the ex-President, the military and the police that the police would take over his security detail. "In this matter government has therefore done what is required to be done in a most responsible and appropriate manner," Alhaji Yakubu said.

Security protection for a former President of Ghana is part of the facilities available to him upon his leaving office.

In fulfillment of this requirement, government has provided a 24-hour police guard for former President Rawlings with effect from Wednesday, May 23, this year.

The Interior Minister said before then, the transitional security guard of the former President which he carried over from the period of his Presidency consisted of soldiers just as his transitional accommodation pending the provision of a permanent one had been where his wife lived while he was President.

The provision of police guards rather than military for the former President was in accordance with the government's internal security policy by which security protection for top government and state officials including the President of the Republic, is undertaken by police personnel rather than soldiers.

"In making security protection arrangements which are within government's internal security policy for the former President, government has 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", the Minister disclosed.

Government says it has been very mindful of its constitutional obligations in making the necessary security arrangements for Rawlings and has ensured that all actions taken in this regard accord fully with the constitution.

The government adds that the action taken on May 23rd did not come as a "thunderbolt from the heavens".

Rawlings's security detail has been changed from military to police amidst protest from the former Ghanaian leader who clearly showed his preference for the soldiers and accordingly locked out the police guards.

He is on record to have said that although he does not detest the presence of the police, they could only be in charge of the protection of his house and other surroundings but not his personal security.