Commission Of Inquiry Begins First Phase Of Public Hearing On Creation Of Bono East Region

The nine-member Commission of Inquiry on the creation of new regions , led by retired Supreme Court Judge, Justice Stephen Allan Brobbey, on Tuesday held its first phase of public hearings on the creation of the Bono East region out of the current Brong-Ahafo Region.

Justice Stephen. A Brobbey, Speaking in Sunyani in the Brong-Ahafo Region, said public hearings will play a key role on the final determination of the proposal, "because the commission would gather the views of citizens in the region earmarked for alteration or creation of new ones before its report is submitted to the President" he added.

He said the exercise of creating a region, under Article 5 of the 1992 constitution, was demand-driven; “and so we have a duty to listen to you(petitioners), the people who have made the demand”.

"We are here to seek the views of residents, opinion leaders and other stakeholders in the Bron- Ahafo region on the proposed split".

According to Sunyani based radio Ahomka 90.5FM source, the region presented two petitions to the commission for the creation of the Bono East Region and Ahafo Region, out of the current Brong- Ahafo Region.

According to Justice Stephen. A Brobbey, views-gathering process, which he said is a form of fact-finding mission, will inform the Commission’s recommendation on whether there is the need for the creation of new regions in the Brong-Ahafo Region.

At the public hearing, stakeholders such as Assembly members, farmers, MCEs,DCEs, former MPs, journalists and other known opinion leaders are present.

Whilst there were arguments in favour of the split, others suggested a re-look at the factors driving the request.

A teacher speaking in favor of the split,argued that Bono East does not have a government tertiary institutions so the creation of Bono East will pave way for government tertiary institutions.

Mr. Francis Owusu-Ansah, Snr journalist was also of the view that the Bono East region will get its fair share of development if a new region was created.

"All roads in Bono East are not good so the split will help us to get good roads and employment too

The commission will continue its hearings in kajaji,Yeji,Atebubu,Nkoranza and Techiman from 8th to the 12th of February, 2018,while it is still open to receiving additional written submissions.

The commission will return to Sunyani on Tuesday, 13th February 2018,to commence the second phase of its public consultation will be the demand for the creation of an Ahafo region.

About the Commission of Inquiry
Retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Brobbey, Chairs the new commission inaugurated by President Akufo-Addo to collate views from the public on the creation of the proposed three new regions.

He will lead the committee with 8 others with various expertise to undertake the consultation process.

The eight are:
Dr. Grace Bediako (Former Government Statistician)
Maulvi Mohammed Bin-Salih (AMEER, Missionary in Charge, Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission in Ghana)

Prof. Kwasi Kwafo Adarkwa (Former Vice Chancellor, KNUST)

Ms. Gladys Gillian Naadu Tetteh (Local governance expert)

Mr. Robert Ajene (Retired Director of Education)
Dr. David Wellington Essaw (Senior Research Fellow, University of Cape Coast)

Prof. George Owusu (Institute of Statistical, Social & Economic Research /Director, Center for Urban Management Studies, University of Ghana)

Ms. Josephine Hughes (Legal Practitioner)
The Commission has been directed by the President to produce a report on its work, and present recommendations which will subsequently be handed over to the Electoral Commission (EC) for the organization of a referendum.

This will be done in the various regions out of which the new ones will be carved out.

The Commission, is expected to tour the Volta, Western, Northern and the Brong Ahafo Regions, to solicit the views of residents on the creation of the new regions.