The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has expressed concerns over the tension and threats that have greeted the announcement of capital cities for the newly created regions.
On Tuesday, when President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo announced Damongo as the capital city for the newly created Savannah Region, youth at Salaga went on rampage and destroyed properties of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
They even set ablaze the Salaga South Constituency office.
Defections in Nkoranza also greeted the naming of Techiman as the capital town of the newly created Bono East Region.
“The NCCE reminds Ghanaians particularly youth and all citizens in the newly created regions that violence, intolerance and disregard for the rule of law has no place in our democratic space and it is unacceptable in any modern democracy,” the Commission said in a release dated February 14, 2019.
“Citizens must uphold and safeguard the rule of law for the protection and preservation of fundamental human rights and freedoms, peace, unity, cohesion and stability of our nation, Ghana.”
Already, President Akufo-Addo has named the capitals for all the six new regions.
Region – Capital
Greater Accra – Accra
Eastern – Koforidua
Western – Sekondi-Takoradi
Ashanti – Kumasi
Volta – Ho
Brong Ahafo – Sunyani
Central – Cape Coast
Northern – Tamale
Upper East – Bolgatanga
Upper West – Wa
Oti – Dambai
Western North – Sefwi-Wiawso
Savannah – Damongo
North East – Nalerigu
Ahafo – Goaso
Bono East – Techiman
The Commission admonished that those with concerns should “use due processes to air their grievances in order to maintain the peace being enjoyed in the country”.
“Persons in the affected regions are encouraged to join hands with the government to ensure development of their regions and the entire country in order not to defeat the purpose of creating the regions.”
Some chiefs have been fingered to be behind the protests.
For example, in Nkoranza, chiefs led a procession ahead of the announcement of Techiman as the Bono East Region capital.
“The NCCE reiterates the need for chiefs, opinion leaders and stakeholders in the affected regions to be circumspect in their utterances and desist from making pronouncements that have the potential to inflame passions in order to forestall violent actions.”
It also asked persons in towns selected as regional capitals to jubilate in moderation whilst respecting the rights of others.
By Emmanuel Kwame Amoh|3news.com|Ghana