April 4 every year will forever be a memorable date in the lives of every individual from the Brong-Ahafo region, as it is the date leaders of the region fought to secure its independence as a region.
This year, April 4, will not pass by without celebrating the birth or creation of the Brong-Ahafo region as it hits 54 years.
The region celebrated its Golden Jubilee anniversary four years ago, where during the climax, the enthusiasm of the people as proud citizens of the region became heightened with the hope of rekindling the spirit of patriotism and selflessness, which the forefathers exemplified to achieve autonomy.
During the anniversary celebration, the agricultural and tourism potentials of the region were showcased, coupled with the hospitality of the people and the peaceful environment conducive for prospective investors to explore.
The anniversary, in a way, served its purpose since it promoted the culture of the people by bringing all together and create the opportunity for citizens to renew their commitment to the ideals and vision of the region.
It is obvious that the vision of the forefathers throughout the 54 years of the region’s existence has brought about tremendous infrastructure development in the area of electricity, water, schools and roads, among others.
The Golden Jubilee anniversary celebration highlighted the fact that the region was created out of unity and this formed the basis for its citizens to act as such and collectively defeat hunger, poverty, illiteracy and ignorance among other challenges.
During the celebration of the anniversary, the chiefs requested for the construction of the Information Communication Technology (ICT) centre,which was inaugurated by the then Vice-President, Mr. John Dramani Mahama.
However, aside the ICT Centre, which serves as a fitting memorial of the golden jubilee celebrations, all other projects earmarked to be constructed are yet to be completed or commissioned, such as the arch to depict an entrance to Sunyani, the regional capital, statues of prominent personalities of the region who contributed to the creation and development of the region, such as Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
Issues concerning the accounts of the anniversary were raised by the honorable MP for Sunyani East, Kwasi Ameyaw Cheremeh, where the then Regional Minister, Kwadwo Nyamekye Marfo was summoned by Parliament for enquiries.
When the then minister appeared before parliament, he was asked to go and prepare himself adequately, before the house invites him on a later date, but that never came.
Four years after the anniversary celebration, those concerns still hold, as a section of the public demands accountability and the time those projects earmarked for construction would be commissioned.
Nana Kwaku Asante Nketiah, Manager of the B/A @ 50 ICT center in an interview noted that April 4 should be set aside as a special day annually for the Brong-Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs and the Regional Coordinating Council to celebrate as a way to rekindle the unity and patriotism of the citizenry.
He said it would help promote the region and expose it to the entire world to attract more investors for job creation.
However, some members of the general public wished that those uncompleted B/A@50 projects be completed by the current Regional Minister, Paul Evans Aidoo and Justice Samuel Adjei, to fulfill the expectations of the anniversary celebrations.