Nana Adu Ansah Baah- president of Ahafo Council of chiefs addressing the gathering
Tension is brewing among the chiefs and people of the Ahafo area of the Brong Ahafo Region over whether people in the Ahafo Ano areas of the Ashanti Region should be allowed to take part in the referendum for the creation of the new region by the current Akufo-Addo administration.
There was argument last Tuesday at Bechem in Tano South District when the chiefs and people of the above-mentioned areas met to discuss how to complement government‘s efforts to speed up the process for the creation of a new region.
Controversy arose when a sub-chief asked if the people of Ahafo Ano South and North in the Asante Region would be part of the referendum.
The Omanhene of Acherensua, Agyewodin Prof Adu Gyamfi Ampem explained that that decision would be taken by a Commission of Inquiry that would be set up to collate views on the creation of the new region.
To this end, the queen mother of Bechem traditional area, Nana Adjowa Apor Dwamena II, advised the people to concentrate on only the six districts/ constituencies that constitute the Ahafo area of the Brong Ahafo Region, including Tano South and North, Asutifi South and North and Asunafo South and North.
Agyewodin Adu Gyamfi Ampem also asked the people to disregard rumors about the possible name and capital of the new region since that would not be decided by the chiefs, saying all that will come from the Commission.
The conference, which was organized by Ahafo Development Association and Council of Ahafo Chiefs under the theme, ‘Arise For the Creation of Ahafo Region,’ brought together chiefs and people from Bechem, Goaso, Acherensua, Mim, Yamfo, Hwidiem, Tepa, Duayawnkwanta, Kukuom, Techimantia, Ntotroso, Kenyasi, among others.
It was also attended by some Members of Parliament (MPs) for the area, former and current District Chief Executives (DCEs) of Ahafo area
The meeting was used to thank President Nana Ado Dankwa Akufo-Addo for making plans to create a new region for the people of Ahafo and also solicit the support of chiefs.
They also reiterated that the creation of the Ahafo Region would improve education, roads, health care, and job creation, among others.
Addressing the gathering, the president of Ahafo Council of chiefs, Nana Adu Ansah Baah, who is also the Yamfohene, thanked the president for creating the new region to accelerate development in the area.
The Brong Ahafo Region is so big that it does not ensure equal development in all areas; the Ahafo Region too will get its share.
He asked other chiefs to encourage their subjects to vote yes during the referendum.
“We need 50 percent yes votes from all residents in the area, and 80 percent turnout to allow the government to go ahead with the creation of the Ahafo Region.
From Daniel Y Dayee, Bechem
danielyaodayee@yahoo.com