President Nana Akufo-Addo on Wednesday shrugged off threats from the chiefs and people of Nkoranza and named Techiman as the regional capital for the newly created Bono East Region.
Issuing the constitutional instrument (CI 113) to give effect to the 13th region in Ghana, the President assured that he would ensure fair and equitable distribution of wealth and development across the entire Bono East Region.
Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Evans Opoku-Bobie will act as caretaker Minister for the new region until a substantive Minister is appointed by president Akufo-Addo in the coming days.
The chiefs and people of Nkoranza on Monday hit the streets of the town to register their protest over what they said was a move by some well-connected politicians to get government to make Techiman the regional capital for Bono East.
They accused Mr. Botwe and his Deputy, Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah, of sidelining them in a number of consultation meetings held by the Ministry on the capital of the Bono East Region.
“If the capital of the Bono East region was not located at a place convenient for the chiefs and people of the region, it would have serious consequences on the fortunes of the New Patriotic Party in Election 2020” Osaedeeyo Akumfi Ameyaw II, the Paramount Chief of Techiman Traditional Area threatened.
Minister of Regional Reorganization and Development, Dan Botwe, described as “shameful and baseless,” allegations and agitations by the chiefs and people of the Nkoranza Traditional Area over the tussle for the regional capital.
He said the action of the chiefs and people of Nkoranza could best be compared to that of a child crying for something from the parents in what is popularly termed in Akan as ‘su gye’, loosely translated as emotional blackmail.
Despite the threat, Nana Akufo-Addo on Wednesday declared Techiman which was highly tipped, as the regional capital.
Just like the other new regions, government has voted GHȻ20 million in this year’s budget for the smooth running Bono East Region.
The Bono East is one of two regions created out of the Brong Ahafo Region in the December 27, 2018 referendum. The other region, Ahafo, is expected to be given constitutional effect for its operationalisation from this afternoon.
On Tuesday, North East with Nalerigu as capital and Savannah Region with Damongo as the regional capital were inaugurated by the president.
The Western North Region and the Oti Region are also to be inaugurated on Friday.
By Irene Amesimeku|3news.com|Ghana