Re: What is happening in the Volta Region?: The Buem Caucus
We refer to the above article published in the Daily Graphic of March 24, 2017, on the opinion page by the columnist Colin Essamuah. We of the Buem Caucus of the Buem Traditional Area of the Volta Region wish to react to and correct the mis-information.
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In the first and second paragraphs of the article the writer tried to draw a linkage between the secessionist attempts since 1956 through the National Liberation Movement (NLM) and the President’s intentions to create a new region out of the Volta Region. This linkage is preposterous, baseless and without any merit.
In the third paragraph, he indicated: “I am aware that there are elements in the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) who think this is a good development, seeing that the Volta Region is a world bank of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC). It is not enough to defeat the party in polls, but to drive away a couple of millions of our fellow country men and women to secure the supremacy of the NPP”.
In the face of available evidence, the above assertion by the writer cannot stand the test of veracity. The clamour for a new region for the people of northern Volta started in the late 1950s by the chiefs and people, especially our ex-servicemen, by which time both NDC and NPP did not exist. Various petitions were presented to almost all past governments, with the latest being 2003.
During the 2016 electioneering candidate President John Dramani Mahama, at a rally in Jasikan on Tuesday, October 18, said, “It is possible to create a new region out of the Volta Region." Candidate Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo also said “I assure you that when I win this year’s elections, the creation of the Oti Region will be done,” at a rally at Nkwanta on October 26, 2016:
It is therefore unfortunate for the writer to peddle falsehood that the creation of the Oti Region will inure to the electoral fortunes of the NPP.
The other issue the writer raised in relation to the creation of a new region is that it would amount to reviving federalism or federalist ideas in Ghana. The question one may ask is, did the creation of Upper West Region in 1983 from the former Upper Region by then Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings bring back federalism or federalist ideas to Ghana?
We, the Buem Caucus, wish to state unequivocally that we support President Akufo-Addo’s intentions to create a new region for the people of northern Volta.
Provisions in the 1992 Constitution mandate the President to create regions as and when necessary. Specifically, Article 5.1 (a) of the 1992 constitution states: “Subject to the provisions of this article, the President may, by constitutional instrument, create a new region”
For other constitutional provisions on the issue, we advise the writer to apprise himself of Articles 5.2 – 5.8.
The Northern Volta has suffered total neglect and is the most underdeveloped part of the Volta Region in terms of infrastructure since the colonial era, and most part of the Northern Volta is very far from the regional capital, Ho, and this becomes difficult for the citizens of this area to access services from governmental agencies.
With regard to education, northern Volta can only boost of two tertiary institutions, namely Jasikan and Dambai Colleges of Education with widespread poor educational infrastructure and amenities.
Teachers also refuse postings to some of the communities and villages leading to poor academic performances in the first and second cycle schools.
The lack of amenities such as offices and accommodation for decentralised agencies of the district assemblies hampers service delivery, affecting the needed development.
Also the lack of basic amenities such as potable water, sanitation and housing facilities is some an other major problems.
In summary, we disagree with the reasons given by the writer and others who are opposing the creation of a new region (OTI Region) out of the Volta Region.
The people want enhanced development; that is all, and we should reason with them. Our contribution to national development in terms of agriculture alone, especially cocoa production from that part of the region over the years has been massive and we deserve better.
We are solidly behind the Minister for Regional Re-Organisation and Development and the President and we will urge all Ghanaians to support the President in creating the Oti Region, rather than peddling untruth and discouraging him.
Below are the writers of the article
Christian Agyei
William Kwasi Agyei (0544316634
Richard Adjei (020 8214757)
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The Buem Caucus,
Buem Traditional Area,
Jasikan District
Click this link to read Kosi Kedem's opinion on the subject here