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The Paramount Chief of the Krachi Traditional Area, Nana Mprah Besemuna III, has justified the need for the creation of a new region out of the Volta Region, saying such a move would fast-track the socio-economic development of the northern part of the region.

The Krachiwura, who is a lead proponent of the new ‘Oti’ Region, said they had no ulterior motive for demanding the splitting of the Volta Region, except for fair and equitable development, which the area had lacked over the years.
 
He was speaking during a courtesy call on him at Kete-Krachi by the Volta Regional Minister, Dr Archibald Letsa, and his deputy, Mr Maxwell Blagogee, as part of a working tour of some districts in that part of the region.

Nana Mprah Besemuna lauded the swift actions being taken by the government towards the creation of the new regions, and assured the minister of the unalloyed commitment of the chiefs and people of the proposed new region to ensure the realisation of such agenda.

‘‘We know your commitment towards this regional project, as we chose to call it. Because it’s not just a policy but a project for us, and we’re going to do everything we can to make sure that the project succeeds. Because we feel that this is the surest and quickest way of developing the area,’’ he stated.

Oppose on principle

The Krachiwura also advised persons opposed to the splitting of the Volta Region to do so on principle, stating that if such persons had never stood against the splitting of existing districts to create new ones, then they should not express any qualms over the carving of Oti, which is geared towards bridging the development gap between the northern and southern parts of the region.

 ‘‘Why are we dividing our districts in the Volta Region, and that one is acceptable, but let’s not divide the region so that resources can come for those who are underprivileged to also get their own budget, so if anybody says he sees something wrong with this kind of arrangement, I don’t understand, there must be a good reason why they’re against it,’’ he stated. He, therefore, appealed to all citizens of the Volta Region to support the agenda for the new region because it would be beneficial to all.

Presidential Commission  

Dr Letsa, in his response, assured the chiefs and people of the eight districts of northern Volta clamouring for the new region of the government’s commitment to set in motion the constitutional processes for the materialisation of the agenda.

He said the recent inauguration of a Commission of Enquiry by the President to solicit views and draw up modalities for the creation of the new regions, was a clear indication of the government’s resolve to fulfil its campaign promise.

The minister, therefore, entreated traditional leaders and their people to make their case before the commission whenever they are called upon do so, stating that, ‘’the creation of regions is not like that of districts where the government can just do so using Legislative Instrument (LI). This is solely within the domain of the citizens, so the government can only guide the process with the ultimate decision to be taken by citizens through a referendum.’’

He also urged the chiefs to continually dialogue and sensitise all stakeholders to the need for the new region which, according to him, would be a panacea for the eradication of abject poverty and ensure equitable development.

Development projects

The regional minister, while outlining some intended interventions of the government to bridge the yawning infrastructural deficit in the area, mentioned the construction of a bridge across River Oti to connect Dambai and Krachi to open up the area for investment.