A civil society and non-governmental advocacy organization, ONE VOLTA GROUP has kicked against the creation of a new Oti Region and rather called for the creation of more districts which according to them, will guarantee rapid development than more regions.
The ONE VOLTA GROUP said it believes in the decentralized approach to development other than the centralized approach.
According to the group, by the country’s developmental procedure, the national cake in the form of the common fund is allocated on decentralized basis to district and municipal assemblies but not to Regions, hence for the needed development to be achieved, there would be the need for government to look at creating more districts in areas it is bent on creating new regions.
Addressing a press conference in Accra at the International Press Centre, Togbe Hortormaho Ameddake III, Director of One Volta Group said there have also been claims of substantial demand from petitioners with the work of the commission confirming that there was substantial demand for the supposed new regions and recommended certain measures but the report was not in the public domain.
He said, “Critical referendum, issues or factors such as boundaries, capital town, etc have not been thoroughly interrogated,” adding that apart from the procedural issues, the peace, safety and tranquility enjoyed by the people of the Volta region over the years have been undermined.
“ONE VOLTA GROUP wishes to draw the attention of all Voltarians to this by demanding responsible attitude and reconciliative gestures from all and to resolve to go to a credible transparent free and fair referendum so that where ever the Ball falls, we can still enjoy our peace,” Togbe Hortormaho Ameddake III said.
He also explained that Ghana used to have nine regions but was increased to ten in 1983 by splitting the then Upper Region to Upper East and Upper West by the then P.N.D.C government, but current decision to create new regions is more of fulfilling a political party campaign promise than a necessity.
He said: “Today, to fulfill a campaign promise made by the ruling government to create more regions, a whole ministry is created to see to the splitting of Volta, Northern and the Western Regions. The question is; what do we seek to achieve for splitting these regions?”
Togbe Hortormaho Ameddake III also alleged some forms of intimidations, attacks and abuse on some people who are against the creating of the new region and for that matter are for the NO Vote.
According to him, some radio stations in the region are also inciting people who are for the new regions against those against the decision hence, brewing serious tension in the region.
He called for a peaceful referendum saying that irrespective of the outcome of the Referendum, Votarians must see themselves as one people.
By PROSPER AGBENYEGA/GHANAIAN OBSERVER