The chiefs and people of eight districts and four traditional areas in the northern sector of the Volta Region have held the first consultative conference in pursuit of the creation of a new region as proposed by both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) during the campaign in the last election.
The districts are Jasikan, Kadjebi, Biakoye, Nkwanta North and South, Krachi Nchumuru, Krachi East and West in addition to the Likpe, Lolobi, Akpafu and Santrokofi traditional areas.
The proposed areas comprise a diverse ethnic background of Akans, Guans, Adele, Konkomba, Basari, Chokosi, Atwode, Ntrubo, Shiare, Chala and Ewes, with Nkonya, Krachi, Buem, Bowiri, Likpe, Akpafu, Santrokofi, Nchumuru as the Guans; and Tapa, Worawora, Apesokubi, Kadjebi, Asato, Dapaa, Pampawie, Dodi Papase, Ahamansu, Dodo, Ampeyo and Pai as Akans.
A resolution adopted at the end of the first conference stated that the creation of the new region, to be known as Oti Region, would be regarded as a belated compensation for the immense contributions to national economy in the past without equivalent development for the area.
The resolution stated that the people had produced several tonnes of cocoa, cultivated variety of food crops and livestock but were denied passable roads, housing, health, education, markets and other opportunities; and were convinced that a new region would accelerate socio-economic development of the area.
Earlier in an address, the Chairman of the joint consultative committee who is also the Krachiwura, Nana Besemuna Mprah III, said the demand for a region started over 40 years ago based on the neglect in terms of the provision of socio-economic infrastructural projects which constituted the preconditions for human development.
He said the agitation, which had run across various regimes to date, had precipitated in an era when the intentions of the two leading political parties coincided with the intentions of the people irrespective of political affiliations.
Nana Mprah,therefore, declared that, “The simple and only reason is that we want development for our people and posterity.”
“We are only fighting in defence of the principle that all parts of Ghana, including deprived areas like ours, must also see massive development, nothing more nothing short,” he added.
In an address, the Volta Regional Minister, Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, said the creation of a new region would lead to the provision of new roads, schools, health facilities and more economic opportunities, and added that most of the administrative and socio-economic challenges faced in the past would be tremendously reduced if not completely overcome.
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