General News of Wednesday, 17 January 2018
Source: Myjoyonline.com
2018-01-17
Justice Stephen A. Brobbey
Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry into the proposed creation of new regions, Justice Stephen A. Brobbey, says consultations at scheduled public hearings will play a key role the final determination of the proposal.
Speaking at first of such public hearings in Ho in the Volta Region, Justice Brobbey noted that the commission would gather the views of citizens in regions earmarked for alteration or creation of new ones before its report is submitted to the President.
The 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 Volta Region.
Submissions made at the Ho hearing largely pointed to the fact that there would not be a need to create a new region before development could be realised in the region.
Some were also of the view that the creation of a new region would rather divide a unified Volta Region on ethnic lines.
Others were also of the view that the northern part of the region will get its fair share of development if a new region was created.
The commission will continue its hearings in Kete-Krachie, Nkwanta South, Kpassa and Nsuta from 17th to the 20th of January, 2018, while it is still open to receiving additional written submissions.
About the Commision
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.