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New regions: Referendum expected in Dec 2018 – Akufo-Addo

President Nana Akufo-Addo has disclosed that he has written a letter to the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana directing them to organise a referendum as recommended by the Brobbey Commission of Inquiry, by December 2018.



Mr Akufo-Addo expressed optimism that the EC will organise the referendum soon so that by Christmas the creation of additional regions across the country, including the proposed North East Region will become a reality.

“I have done my part; the rest is up to you. And I say that because the constitution says that 50% of all those who are registered and entitled to vote in the areas affected have to turn out to vote on the day set by the Electoral Commission and of that 80% must cast their votes for Yes before the region can become a reality.”

“So if indeed, the people of Mamprugu want the North East Region, ‘kukurumoti’, it is the thumb that will decide for you but I am very hopeful and expect that we will get a very massive Yes votes.”

President Akufo-Addo made these remarks during an address to the Chiefs and people of the Mamprugu Traditional Area on Saturday, 21 July 2018 at the Palace of the Mamprugu Overlord.

He explained that the creation of the new regions is not a new phenomenon in Ghana. According to him at the beginning of the last century, in colonial times, we had three regions in Ghana. He mentioned the Northern Territories, the Ashanti Protectorate and the Gold Coast Crown colony.

He revealed that just before independence, the Gold Coast Crown colony was divided into Eastern and Western regions and subsequently in 1956, the Trans-Volta Togo land referendum was held which brought Trans-Volta Togo land into the regions of Ghana.

“We are now 30 years later, hopefully, going to add six more regions to make it sixteen regions in the country,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area and Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Hajia Alima Mahama, commended the President for the construction of major town roads in the Nalerigu/Gambaga municipality.

She said the introduction of the flagship programmes has come to cushion the welfare of the people and there is some economic improvement in the area.

She mentioned that, government is also working on projects such as the rural water system to improve potable water supply in the East and West Mamprusi districts.

According to her, the towns will have overhead tanks and all the underground pipes will be replaced to allow the free flow of water into various households.

Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com

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