The Ghanaian Voice quotes Ms Elizabeth Ohene, Minister of State, Media Relations, as describing as unfortunate ex- President Rawlings' rejection of police bodyguards.

Ms Ohene in a Joy FM programme, last week said under a constitutional rule, it is the duty of the police to protect and to play the normal civil role of protecting and keeping order. Ms Ohene said under the NPP as a civilian government, President Kufour is keen on making sure that the police play their rightful role as enshrined in the constitution.

She disagreed with a suggestion that during the transitional period it was agreed that the ex-President would have a say in putting together his personal security, adding 'that is normal military practice'.

Ms Ohene emphasised that even if the NPP government was going to keep the soldiers, which they are minded to do, it cannot be argued that the military hierarchy cannot move them around, because "that is just not acceptable. And it is also not a normal practice."

She re-emphasised that the NPP government as charged by the people with the ex-President, and that is President Kufuor's responsibility, he is very much accountable to the people of Ghana to protect Rawlings.

According to her that is what the law requires President Kufuor to do, and did not believe he would take any chances.