Mixed reactions meet creation of proposed Western North Region

A cross section of the people of Takoradi who appeared before the Commission of Inquiry into the creation of the proposed Western North Region shared divided views on the pros and cons of the proposal.

The Commission of Inquiry is tasked under Article 5 of the 1992 Constitution to look into the demand and make recommendations on all the factors involved in the creation, merger and alteration of a Region.

Having completed in-camera interaction with the petitioners and tradional authorities, the Commission has started with the public sitting to solicit views from the public.

At the maiden event in Takoradi, the Chairman of the Commission, Justice Stephen Allan Brobbey urged the public to feel free to appear before the commission to make their inputs, adding that, this will greatly enhance their work.

He explained that, the commission is on a fact-finding mission a d therefore needs the inputs of all in the region.

At its maiden sitting in Takoradi, those who appeared before the commission expressed varied views.

Proponents for the creation of the Western North Region mentioned the dearth of infrastructure, poor road network and the distance from the northern districts to the capital thus increasing cost of doing business and poor service delivery.

Also, many public and civil servants refuse to accept postings to the Northern Districts to work as teachers, nurses, doctors and other critical workforce needed in the decentralized departments.

Another issue that came up as a strong reason for the creation of the Western North Region is inadequate and poor access to justice delivery. This is because, the North part of the Region has only two high courts and no commercial court thus compelling those seeking justice to travel long distances to Sekondi-Takoradi for justice delivery.

However, those who spoke against the proposal were of the view that, what is needed is investment in the region to defray the infrastructure deficit.

These include road, educational and health facilities. Others mentioned the adoption of modern technology to avoid travelling long distances for services which can be rendered via the internet.

They contended that, the m the new region will not increase government's expenditure on the districts in the new region because regional coordinating councils do not undertake projects. Rather, it's the central government and the district assemblies that undertake projects.