Obed Asamoah Supports New Oti Region

Dr. Obed Asamoah, the former National Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), has called on people not to thwart efforts to create Oti Region from the Volta Region.

He said that the creation of the Oti Region was long overdue and there should be no obstacles in the creation of the region this time round.

His comments follow attempts by some persons from the Volta Region to prevent the people of Lolobi and Akpafu joining the proposed Oti Region.

A Clan Chief of Akpafu Todzi and some individuals are allegedly against Akpafu joining the proposed Oti Region.

Dr. Asamoah's call comes in the wake of the announcement of the Electoral Commission (EC) that it would commence the exhibition of the voters' register on 25^th October, 2018, as part of activities to hold the referendum for the creation of additional six regions in Ghana.

The referendum is scheduled for December 27, 2018, and the EC stated that it had not officially received reports of tribal sentiments regarding the creation of the six new regions.

Legal Nonsense
That notwithstanding, Dr. Asamoah said, “The region is long overdue. Those against it should do so through the ballot box and stop making noise. The suit to let all in the Volta Region vote is legal nonsense.”

The forthcoming exercise has passed all the constitutional and legal tests and enjoys massive support from well-meaning Ghanaians.

The determination of the chiefs and people of the proposed Oti Region to massively back the creation of the new region cannot be downplayed.

Few opponents have resorted to making misleading comments which have exposed their mischief.

Akpafu Chiefs
But members of a group calling itself 'Progressive Elements of Lolobi and Akpafu,' who are apparently in the majority, have rubbished claims by the clan chief and his colleagues who are kicking against the move.

In a press statement jointly signed by the Paramount Chief, Nana Afrifa Akuamoah and others, the concerned residents stated that “some members of our communities are allowing themselves to be used in a loud campaign to dissociate Lolobi and Akpafu from the creation of Oti Region. The impression that the people of Lolobi and Akpafu are against the creation of Oti Region is false.”

They pointed out that “in particular, Nana Kofi Adu II, a clan chief of Akpafu Todzi and one of those against the Akpafu joining the proposed Oti Region claims to be the head chief of Akpafu, an unknown title in Akpafu chieftaincy lexicon.”

“The gazetted Paramount Chief of Akpafu is Nana Afrifa Akuamoah IV and also a member of the Volta Region House of Chiefs. He and his sub-chiefs, opinion leaders and good people of Akpafu are for the creation of Oti Region and subsequently creation of SALL (Santrokofi, Akpafu, Likpe and Lolobi) District Assembly and Constituency.”

According to the residents, “Joining Oti Region opens up the prospect of Lolobi, Akpafu, Santrokofi and Likpe having a district and a constituency of our own. We have been tossed between the Jasikan and Hohoe Districts under the colonial policy of amalgamation; and we have been made the subjects of other stools. Which is better being on our own or being appendages of others? Only the uninformed can oppose independence, freedom and dignity.”

“We urge our people who cherish freedom and dignity to register and vote massively for Lolobi and Akpafu to be part of Oti Region,” they added.