Creation of new regions was citizens’ demand – Dan Botwe

Minister for Regional Reorganisation and Development, Mr. Dan Kwaku Botwe, has stated that the creation of new regions was a result of citizens’ demand’ for development.

According to him, people in the proposed regions are zealous to have the new regions in order for them to live in a thriving economy, which provides opportunities for all.

The demands for reorganisation have been strongly articulated in four regions in particular, namely, Brong Ahafo, Northern, Volta and Western.

He said the President, Nana Akufo-Addo, in interactions with the Ghanaian people, one thing that became obvious was the reorganisation of the regional governance structure to enable the government come closer to the people.

This, people believe, would facilitate the rapid and equitable development of the country’s economy.

Mr. Botwe was speaking at meet the press series organised by the Ministry of Information yesterday, in Accra.

Defending why the government wanted to create additional regions, the Minister said just as it was stipulated in the manifesto of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), likewise the National Democratic Congress (NDC) had plans for reorganisation, but it is the NPP that has got the opportunity to implement it.

“It is instructive to note that the 2016 Manifesto of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the main opposition party, contains a pledge to facilitate the creation of five new regions had the NDC been successful at the 2016 elections,” he added.

In addition, Mr. Botwe stressed that many traditional authorities, civil society organisations and responsible citizens have all voiced their support for the creation of new regions.

He further indicated that Article 5 of the 1992 Constitution imposes strict requirements for the creation of a new region, alteration of a regional boundary, or the merger of two or more regions.

In the other related matters, the Supreme Court, yesterday, dismissed a suit challenging the planned referendum only in areas earmarked for the creation on December 27th.

In a unanimous decision, the seven-member panel of the court held that the plaintiffs did not present a genuine case for constitutional interpretation, hence, failed to properly invoke the original interpretative jurisdiction of the court.

The judgement was read by Profession Justice Nii Ashie Kotey, while the panel was presided over by Justice Sophia Adinyera.

Other Justices on the panel were Jones Dotse, Anin Yeboah, Samuel K. Marful-Sau, Agnes M. Dodzie and Nene A. Amegatcher.