The chiefs and people of the northern parts of the Volta Region have called on government to exercise its power under the constitution to create the proposed Oti Region before the end of the first term of President Akufo-Addo.
According to them, their ancestors voluntarily voted in the 1956 plebiscite to join independent Ghana with the expectations that their people and communities would record socio-economic development through the provision of health facilities, good roads, among others.
They claimed they had been denied their share of the national cake which has improvised.
At the end of the maiden conference on the creation of the new region held at Nsuta in the Jasikan District, the chiefs and people issued a resolution that the creation of the Oti Region would accelerate development that would transform the lives of the people and future generations.
Background
The demand for the creation of the Oti Region started over 40 years ago when in the 1970s some chiefs and people of the area petitioned the then Prime Minister, Dr. K.A Busia, to create the region because of neglect in the provision of developmental projects.
In the 1980s, the chiefs and people also petitioned the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC), and previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) under ex-President Kufuor but to no avail.
In the run-up to the 2016 election, the chiefs petitioned Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, then presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), to consider creating the Oti Region if given the nod.
The proposed Oti Region encompasses eight districts including Jasikan, Kadjebi, Biakoye, Krachi East and West, Krachi Nchumuru, Nkwanta North and South.
The area is predominantly occupied by Akans, Guans, Ewes, Kokombas and several other ethnic groups.
Krachiwura Speaks
Chairman of the Joint Consultative Committee, the Krachiwura, Nana Besemuna Mprah III, noted that the creation of the region would bring governance closer to the people.
This would be done through the establishment of a Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), which is the highest political organ in every region, to oversee the development the area, he said.
He maintained that despite their demand for a new region, they shall forever remain part of Ghana per the laws.
Nana Besemuna Mprah III pledged that the people of the proposed Oti Region would live peaceful in a cultural diverse area, and also peacefully coexist with the people of the Volta Region.
Oti Region For Dev’t
The Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archiebald Letsa, gave the assurance that the creation of the Oti Region would not have any adverse effect on other parts of the Volta Region.
According to him, the people of the new region would benefit from new roads, health facilities and also have economic opportunities.
He commended the chiefs for improving the lives for the people and pledged to support their cause.
From Fred Duodu and Gibril Abdul Razak, Jasikan