Members of the commission exchanging pleasantries with members of BA Regional House of Chiefs
THE Commission of Enquiry looking into the creation of new regions has asked all those pushing for new regions to stake claims that are verifiable.
Speaking at its first public hearing, the Chairman of the Commission, Justice Stephen Allan Brobbey urged all those pushing for the Bono East Region and the Coalition of Ahafo Chiefs to help the commission to come up with the best solution for the country.
Justice Brobbey said, “We expect you to assign reasons and where possible support your claims with proof that can be verified. Merely stating that the new region should be created does no good to your case because when the record of the meetings in the Brong Ahafo Region is examined at the end of the trip, what will be left for the commission to consider will be mere claims with no basis or grounds.”
The retired Supreme Court judge added: “that will be the evidence that will have to be considered alongside the evidence of those who provided justification for their claims.”
“In their petition, the petitioners alleged that the creation of a new region will bring governance closer to the people. The commission will want to know how the creation of the new region will address this problem,” he said, adding “the petitioners also alleged that the creation of the region will enhance infrastructural development, increase economic opportunities as well as promote effective governance. What are the facts and figures to back this claims?”
He said, “The commission is here to listen to you on this and other issues which will lend support to your demand for the creation of a new region.”
Attendance at its first public hearing yesterday was poor and analysts believed it could be because Sunyani and its environs were not part of those clamouring for new regions.
Ahead of the public hearing, members of the commission on Monday held a closed door meeting with members of the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs and formally introduced themselves to the august house and informed them about their intention to commence public hearing in the region.
Prior to the in-camera meeting, the minister for Regional Reorganization and Development, Dan Botwe informed the house that government is not going to sponsor a campaign for a ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ vote in the impending referendum but asked the chiefs and opinion leaders to lead the campaign for the new regions themselves.
The President of the House who is also the Yejimanhene, Pimamapim Yaw Kabresey, in his welcome address, expressed gratitude to the members of the commission for coming to the region and assured them the chiefs’ commitment to fully collaborate with them in the work.
He said the expectation for the creation of the new region out of BA is high and the people are ready for it.
Pix. Members of the commission exchanging pleasantries with members of BA Regional House of Chiefs
FROM Daniel Y Dayee, Sunyani