New Region Will Help Address Security Concerns

A Cocoa Purchasing Clerk at Sankore in the Asunafo South District of Brong-Ahafo, Mr Joseph Afriyie has stated that Ahafo requires a region to address its poor security situation.

He observed that the Ahafo region was needed to pave the way for the establishment of a military barracks to end recurring political tensions and violence in the area, particularly in the Sankore township.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on the sidelines of a public hearing on the proposed creation of the Region at Sankore, Mr. Afriyie said uncontrolled logging in the Adori forest reserve is another huge challenge which required military attention.

The Justice Stephen Allan Brobbey Commission of Inquiry looking into the proposed creation of the six additional regions in the country is in Ahafo part of the Brong-Ahafo Region for the public hearing.

Council of Ahafo Chiefs, spearheading the creation of the Ahafo Region had earlier submitted a petition to the Commission to justify the demand for the region.

Mr Afriyie noted that rising political tensions and clashes between supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at Sankore had become annual ritual and jeopardising public peace and stability in the area.

He expressed concern about the deplorable nature of roads and general deficit in infrastructural development at the Ahafo part of Brong-Ahafo Region.

Mr Afriyie appealed to the commission to capture the developmental needs of the people in its recommendations to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

Mr Evans Opoku Bobbie, the Deputy Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister appealed to the traditional rulers to collaborate with the Municipal/District Assemblies in the area to embark on vigorous public education on the referendum to meet the required voter turnout for the creation of the region.

Justice Brobbey praised the people for their impressive participation, and was hopeful that they would do same during the referendum so as to secure the 50 per cent votes and 80 per cent voter turnout as required by the constitution.