Key government accommodations at the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council have been left to deteriorate, sparking concerns over neglect and waste of state resources.
The facilities, which include the regional minister’s residence, the Presidential Lodge, and guest houses for government officials, have been unoccupied for nearly eight years, resulting in severe damage and disrepair.
Situated on a sprawling piece of land, the residency was once a symbol of pride and functionality. However, years of abandonment have transformed the area into a site of neglect.
- Presidential Lodge: Commissioned in 2004 under former President John Agyekum Kufuor, the lodge is now surrounded by overgrown weeds. Parts of the ceiling are broken, and the building’s paint is peeling off, giving it a derelict appearance.
- Regional Minister’s Residence: This facility, unused for nearly a decade, shows signs of deterioration. Reports suggest that alternative accommodations were rented for the regional minister during this period, raising questions about resource allocation.
- Guest Houses: Two guest houses meant for hosting government officials have been vandalized. Sliding windows are shattered, air conditioners have been removed, and interiors are thick with dust. Curtains and fittings have been left to decay.
- Security Facilities: Structures meant to house security personnel are similarly affected, reflecting the broader neglect across the compound.
The once-beautiful lawns and gardens of the residency have succumbed to the harsh harmattan season, with dry grass and wilting flowers adding to the atmosphere of abandonment.
Local leaders of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have decried the state of the residency, describing it as a waste of valuable government resources.
Regional Chairman of the NDC, Augustus Nana Akwasi Andrew, expressed dismay:
“When we were in power, the place was kept clean and green. The place looked like the seat of government, but now the place looks abandoned.”
Regional Secretary Dr. Frank Amoakohene also criticised the situation, demanding accountability and an investigation:
“We will launch an investigation into this issue. It will interest us to know how the regional minister got a residency. Was the government renting for him while this one was rotting away?”