Naagyei 90.3 Fm Agyapa
President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo says his administration will ensure that the great potential of the Ahafo region is given all the help required in order to accelerate the development of the newly created region.
Addressing the chiefs, leaders and people of the Ahafo Region at the Forecourt of the Jubilee House at a ceremony to present to the delegation a Constitutional Instrument (CI) 114 and the instrument of attestation that officially creates the Ahafo Region, President Akufo Addo said “with the Ahafo Region home to large deposits of Gold, Diamond, Iron ore and Bauxite, and with significant percentage of the Nations food produce coming from there, the potential for development clearly exist”. The President indicated that “residence of Ahafo are of the firm believe that there would be better access to government institutions, better population to service ratios, enhanced employment , increased socioeconomic activities and increased investment opportunities”.
“It is thus only fitting that government helps to accelerate the development of this region” President Akufo Addo said.
The Capital and Acting Minister
In his address, President Akufo Addo noted that he has appointed the Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Evans Opoku-Bobie, to act as Caretaker Minister for the region until he appoints a substantive Regional Minister for the Ahafo Region. Additionally, President Akufo Addo announced that Goaso has been chosen as the regional capital for the Ahafo Region.
Leader of the Delegation
Nana Ansah Baah, Omanhene of Yamfo Traditional Area, in his address as leader of the delegation from the Ahafo Region, registered the sincere thanks of the inhabitants of the Ahafo Region to the President for ensuring that their petition for the creation of the new Ahafo Region which dates back some forty (40) years has become a reality.
“We the people of Ahafo region promise to pull all of our resources together to develop our new region in a short time. We are behind you and praying for the success of your various programmes you have introduced like One District, One Factory, Free Senior High School, Planting for Food and Jobs, and more especially the rehabilitation and expansion of the country’s railway lines” the Omanhene of Yamfo Traditional Area said.
Timelines for the Creation of New Regions
In fulfilment of the provisions of the Constitution, President Akufo Addo on the 26th of June, 2017, referred petitions from the Western, Volta, Bring Asafo and Northern Regions to the Council of State for their advice. On the 15th of August, 2017, the Council of State, after a thorough examination of the matter, unanimously recommended to the President the need for the creation of and the substantial demand for the creation of new regions. The Council of State advised the President to proceed with the processes involving the creation of new regions.
On Thursday, 19th of October, 2017, by Constitutional Instrument number 105, gazetted on Thursday, 12th of October, 2017, the President appointed a 9-member Commission of Enquiry chaired by retired Supreme Court Judge, Justice S.A. Brobbery. On the 27th of June, 2018, the Commission of Enquiry presented its report to the President recommending the creation of six additional regions to the existing ten (10).
President Akufo Addo subsequently referred the decision of the Commission of Enquiry to the Electoral Commission (EC) for it to begin the processes for the referendum to be held in the recommended places. On the 27th of December, 2018, the EC conducted same with all the six regions voting “yes” for the creation of the new regions.
