Volta Minister Reaffirms New Regions Must Be Created Without Any Acrimony

Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, the Volta Regional Minister has advised that motives for creation of new regions be without rancour.

The Regional Minister who was speaking at a public hearing at Nkwanta by the Commission of Inquiry on the creation of new regions therefore asked concerned parties to work in unity.

The hearings in the region had witnessed both support and opposition drawn along ethnic lines, which compelled the Regional Minister to appeal to the people of Northern Volta to maintain "close relationships with the people of the south".

"Whatever happens here must build and not destroy. The initiative must benefit all parts of the Volta Region, and am ready to offer my support", he stated.

Dr Letsa noted that attendance at the hearings in the north proved the genuineness of the call for a region, and asked petitioners to reinforce their demands towards ensuring a "win win" situation for both sides.

Justice Stephen Brobbey, Chairman of the Commission also urged contributors to refrain from generalising claims during submissions.

"It is not healthy to relate creation of new region to tribalism and ethnicity", he said, and asked entities opposed to the proposal to petition the Commission which he said was ready to consider their plea.

Nana Banyin Asanyo III, Chairman of the district organising committee of the Joint Consultative Committee on the creation of the region said the initiative was an intervention that would change the face of the area.

He said the new region would address the issue of neglect which was the root cause of underdevelopment.

Nana Asanyo said poor academic performance, low teacher to student ratio, inadequate infrastructure and teaching materials as major challenges facing the area.

Mr Codjoe Amewu, Chairman of Ewes in Nkwanta South Association pledged the Group's support for the creation of the region and said tribes in the area would continue to co-exist.

Mr Maxwell Blagodzi, the Deputy Volta Regional Minister said all the eight Municipal and District Chief Executives in northern Volta were in support of the new region and working towards its realisation.