The Member of Parliament (MP) for Krachi West, Helen Adjoa Ntoso, has asserted that Volta Region is “too long” to be allocated one administrative unit.
She explained the long nature of the region has made its administration a hefty task, adding she went through “great stress administering the region” during her tenure as Regional Minister.
Mrs Ntoso, therefore, concluded that the request for creation of a new region in northern Volta is expedient since it would not only deepen decentralization but “expedite socio-economic development of the area” as well.
She was speaking at a public hearing on the creation of the proposed ‘Oti Region’ in Kete Krachi in the Krachi West District of the Volta Region.
“People are saying the Eastern Region is big and there is no demand for a split, I was the Eastern Regional Minister, to be very honest with you, touring the Eastern Region is easy compared to touring the Volta Region”, she said.
She added stated “when you tour the Volta Region, from Sogakofe to Nkwanta North to Krachi Nchumuru is not an easy task. So if there is demand for the split of the Region, it should be done, so that in case my child becomes a Regional Minister, he won’t suffer like I did.”
Mrs Ntoso who worked as a Regional Minister in the erstwhile National Democratic Congress (NDC) government for 3 years was instrumental in the construction of the Dambai-Kete Krachi road; a major commodity transport channel between the North and South.
She was, however, unable to supervise the full completion of the Eastern Corridor Road, a major determinant of underdevelopment in the northern part of the Volta Region.
Volta North MPs in support of creation of new region
Mrs Ntoso also refuted claims that Members of Parliament representing the 8 constituencies in the demarcated area for the new region are not in solidarity with the demand for the creation of the new region.
“We are behind our chiefs and people. Krachi East, Krachi West, Krachi Nchumuru, Nkwanta North and South, Biakoye, Jasikan and Kadjebi, we have united and strongly support the creation of the new region because the voice of the people is the voice of God.”
The MP for Krachi East Deputy Minister for Water and Resources, Michael Yao Gyato, dispelled assertions that the demand for a division of the region is fueled by ethnocentrism, indicating the agenda is basically “aimed at harnessing accelerated development for the north”.
The MP for Krachi Nchumuru, John Majisi, also indicated that the demand for the creation of the ‘Oti Region’ has no political backing but a collective demand from the chiefs and people in the north.
Outcome of Public hearings
The Commission of Enquiry is on a fact-finding mission to substantiate claims and assertions by the petitioners for the proposed ‘Oti Region’.
It has so far held hearings in Ho, Dambai, Kete Krachi, Nkwanta, and Kpassa where
participants registered an overwhelming support for the creation of the region.
It is now incumbent on the Commission of Enquiry on the creation of the new regions led by Justice Stephen Alan Brobbey to deliberate on the collated views and suggestions and come out with a recommendation, which would inform a decision by the President to create the proposed ‘Oti Region’ or not.
Source: Ghanaweb.com/Fred Quame Asare
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