President Akufo-Addo with the Chiefs from Nzema East, Ellembelle, Jomoro, Ahanta West, Kwesimintsim, Effia, Takoradi, Sekondi, Essikado-Ketan and Shama
The chiefs in the Sefwi area of the Western Region have reiterated their support for the creation of the Western North Region.
They indicated that the initiative would help fast-track the needed development in the northern parts of the Western Region.
They also indicated that the creation of the new region presented a high possibility of improved development in that part of the region.
This came to light when President Akufo-Addo interacted with the chiefs in the northern parts of the Western Region as part of his three-day working visit to the area.
The chiefs spoke passionately about the lack of a befitting development plan for the region, considering the fact that the region produces about 60 per cent of the country’s resources.
Speaking on behalf of the chiefs, the Omanhene of Sefwi Wiawso, Okatakyie Kwasi Bumagama II, noted that the people in the northern part of the Western Region must also be given the opportunity to get what they wanted in terms of development.
“All of us support the carving of a new region out of the existing one to enable us get the requisite developmental projects to commiserate with the large chunk of natural resources the area produces,” he indicated.
He noted that the creation of the Western North Region was purely for developmental purposes.
“It is a step taken to ensure that the northern part of the Western Region benefits from the national cake and so when the new region is created it should not be abandoned in terms of development projects”, he added.
He mentioned that the creation of the new region was necessary and called for the support of all the people.
President Akufo-Addo noted that the creation of the new region was a campaign promise that the government was poised to deliver but would also require the co-operation of the chiefs and people in the said area.
He indicated that the Justice S.A Brobbey Commission was almost through with their job and that the government was awaiting their recommendations.
“The presidential Commission of Inquiry on the creation of the new regions has met the people in the affected areas through a public hearing,” he disclosed.
He mentioned that the commission had collated public views on how best to proceed with the request to split up some regions subject to a referendum.
He pointed out that so far the commission had received petitions from the Northern, Western, Brong Ahafo and Volta Regions with each making a strong case for the creation of their respective regions.
“But before the creation of the new regions could happen, the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana proposes that a referendum be held with a 50 per cent voter turnout.
“And 80 per cent of the voters must register their approval for the split”, he revealed.
“So please if you really need the new region, it is up to you to vote massively for it in the referendum “, he added.
The areas likely to form the Western North Region include Aowin-Suaman, Bia East District, Sefwi Wiawso Municipality and the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Municipal, all in the northern part of the region.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Sefwi Wiawso