[ 2017-10-06 ]

Nana Addo to unveil commission of inquiry for new regions
A commission of inquiry needed to solicit views
through a national dialogue on the proposed
creation of six additional regions, is to be
constituted next week.

The commission is to tour the Northern, Western,
Brong Ahafo and Volta Regions, which are earmarked
for the additional regions, as stated in the
governing New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) 2016
campaign manifesto.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo brought this
to the fore when he addressed the chiefs and
people of Mamprugu land at the Nayiri’s palace
in Nalerigu, beginning his three-day official tour
of the Northern Region.

He said the commission’s recommendations will be
handed over to the Electoral Commission to
organize a referendum required to secure 50%
endorsement of citizens of the proposed areas
under consideration.

He asked for the strong support of the Nayiri, and
the nation’s traditional rulers, to facilitate
the creation of new regions which the Council of
State has approved awaiting constitutional
requirements satisfaction.

The President’s disclosure was in response to
the overlord of Mamprugu traditional area, The
Nayiri Mahami Bohigu Sheriga’s renewed call for
the area to be carved out of the Northern Region.

“I am in full support of your demand, and I
believe your demand for a new region is a good
one, and I will support it. So if you want  it,
you will have it,” President Nana Addo
underscored.”

“If you are determined to have a new region, it
is in your hands. The way you respond to the
commission of inquiry, and also how you vote if by
the grace of God the commission of inquiry
recommends a referendum, that is what will decide
whether or not you deserve a new region.”

“The Council of State received my request for
their advice and they were positive. They agreed
that there was the demand for the creation of
regions in Western, Northern, Brong Ahafo and
Volta Regions.”

“The referendum will require that 50% of all
those who are registered in the area of the demand
come out to vote and after that, 80% of the voters
must say yes.”

“…Because of this very strict condition, it
has never been done before in the life of the
fourth Republic, this is the first time that the
procedure has been initiated.”

The Nayiri in his welcome address posited that,
giving the area a regional status could offload
the myriad of chieftaincy disputes pending at the
Northern Regional House of Chiefs, of which he is
the incumbent President.

The Nayiri appealed to government to establish two
more health facilities at Mamprugu Moagduri and
the Bunkprugu/Yunyoo district.

He further decried the deplorable road network in
Mamprugu which he said requires rapid attention.

He said several communities within his
jurisdiction lacked electricity, and therefore
called for the construction of a sub power station
in Nalerigu to feed the deprived communities.

The Nayiri emphasized that, government should get
investors to explore the large deposit of lime in
the area.

He lauded the planting for food and jobs, free
Senior High School and the fertilizer subsidy
programmes.

Source - citifmonline.com

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