The Minister for Regional Re-Organisation, Dan Botwe is hopeful if Ghanaians buy into the idea of adding at least four regions to the existing 10, it will boost the country’s development.
The Upper West is the last region created out of the Upper Region in 1983 by the then Head of State, Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings under the Provisional National Defense Council.
Dan Botwe told TV3 some Ghanaians have for decades been craving for additional regions for easy administration.
He said the inauguration of the commission sets the tone for his ministry to kick start processes to create the new regions.
“It will bring government to the people and accelerate development,” he remarked.
Constitutional steps to creation of new regions
Article 5 of the 1992 constitution of the Republic forms the constitutional bases for the formation of the Commission of Enquiry by the President. It states as follow;
(1) Subject to the provisions of this article, the President may, by constitutional instrument –
(b) alter the boundaries of a region; or
(c) provide for the merger of two or more regions.
(2) If the President, upon a petition being presented to him and, on the advice of the Council of State, is satisfied that there is substantial demand for –
(a) the creation of a new region;
(b) the alteration of the boundaries of a region, whether or not the alteration involves the creation of a new region; or
(c) the merger of any two or more regions;
he shall, acting in accordance with the advice of the Council of State, appoint a commission of inquiry to inquire into the demand and to make recommendations on all the factors involved in the creation, alteration or merge.
(3) If, notwithstanding that a petition has not been presented to him, the President is, on the advice of the Council of State, satisfied that the need has arisen for taking any of the steps referred to in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of clause (1) of this article, he may, acting in accordance with the advice of the Council of State, appoint a commission of inquiry to inquire into the need and to make recommendations on all the factors involved in the creation, alteration or merger.
(4) Where a commission of inquiry appointed under clause (2) and (3) of this article finds that there is the need and a substantial demand for the creation, alteration or merger referred to in either of those clauses, it shall recommend to the President that a referendum be held, specifying the sues to be determined by the referendum and the places where the referendum should be held.
(5) The President shall refer the recommendations to the Electoral Commission, and the referendum all be held in a manner prescribed by the Electoral Commission.
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