We Have Been Denied Development For Far Too Long--B/A Chiefs

Chiefs and people of Ahafo in the Brong Ahafo Region have unanimously told the Justice Allan Brobbey Commission of Enquiry to create a new region for them because of the lack of development in that part of the region and discrimination against the people.

The chiefs and people were unanimous in their call on the Commission of Enquiry, which began phase two of its public hearing in Sunyani yesterday.

Nobody opposed the creation of the region at the public hearing.

Farmers, teachers, chiefs and photographers, among others, who asked questions or contributed to the discussions, said due to the vastness of the land, towns far from the regional capital Sunyani do not get their fair share of development.

The participants claimed Ahafo lacks good roads, higher institutions of learning, hospitals and roads to transport foodstuff, particularly plantain to market centres.

On behalf of his colleagues, the Omanhene of Acherensua Traditional Area, Nana Professor Agyewodin Ampem, said most roads in the area are deplorable, making it difficult to travel to the Sunyani for official assignments.

He said the Hwidiem-Kenyasi Road, Goaso-Kumasi Road and Maabeng-Acherensua Road are all in deplorable conditions.

Prof Agyewodin complained about the lack of a university in Ahafo which has affected education in the area.

He cited University of Energy and Natural Resources in Sunyani and Dormaa, Sunyani Technical University, Methodist University at Wenchi, among to show the discrimination against the Ahafo people.

Yaw Owusu Brepong, the President of Ahafo Development Association that is spearheading the creation of the Ahafo Region, said that agitation for the region started in 1981 and since then nine petitions had been presented to government over the matter.

“If the region is created, it will create jobs, it will bring development, it will bring governance closer to the people and last but not least, it will stop discrimination.

In his closing remarks, the chairman of the commission, Justice Allan Brobbey, said the commission will give good advice to the president based on what it has heard.