Commission Begins Sitting for New Regions

The Commission of Inquiry inaugurated by President Akufo-Addo to collate views that would lead to the sculpting of new regions, will on Tuesday, 21 November begin sitting in Accra.

According to Dan Botwe, Minister for Regional Reorganisation and Development (MoRRD), aside it being a constitutional mandate, the purpose of the public sitting is to give petitioners the opportunity to meet with the Commission and to explain further the reasons for their demand.

“If they come to the interaction with the Commission, they will state to the Commission what they think the benefits are if their petition is being honoured,” he said.

At a press briefing held in Accra, yesterday, the Minister announced that after the public hearing in Accra, the Commission would proceed with Regional Based Consultative Meetings which gears towards engaging the general public on the process of the programme.

He said, “The Ministry will collaborate effectively with the NCCE to sensitise the citizenry on the process and modalities involved in the creation of new regions…it will also work with the Information Service Department to support the Commission during its consultation.”

No Political Influences

With regards whether or not the move by petitioners for the carving out of new regions had any political affiliations or projection of future gains for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Botwe was emphatic that the move had and will have no political advantage.

“It is based on the numerous petitions the President received from chiefs in the respective regions and not out of political gains…it is to pursue policies and programmes that will go to upgrade the quality of life of the people… There is nothing to benefit. Maybe the benefits we would have is the satisfaction that we have pursued the programme,” he said.

Mr. Botwe continued: “…those who want this to happen have inaugurated campaign committees…it will interest you to know that all political parties are involved, it is not about a specific political party and it so refreshing…we have also met MPs from all these regions…four of them and the approach is nonpartisan.”

Schedule for the Commission’s sitting in ACCRA

The schedule of the Commission’s engagement with the petitioners would run from the November 21 through to November 30^, all at 10 am.

The delegates from the Western Region are scheduled for November 21, while representatives for the Volta Region have been listed for November 22.

The Brong-Ahafo regions with two separate petitions will appear before the commission on November 23 and 28 respectively.

On Wednesday, November 29, a petition from Yabora in the Northern region will have their sitting and finally the commission members will meet in the Mamprusi for the sixth petition on December 5, 2017.

Source: Grace Ablewor Sogbey/ [email protected]