Daniel Kwaku Botwe, Minister for Regional Reorganisation and Development said government was confident of peaceful referendums for the creation of the proposed six new regions in the country.
He said government had done enough sensitization for peaceful referendums, especially in the Oti enclave of the Volta Region.
The Minister said this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on the sidelines of a STAR-Ghana/Ghana Journalists Association panel discussion on the creation of new regions.
The panel discussion dubbed,” We the people” was the first in the series of STAR-Ghana/ Ghana Journalists Association “Enhanced Media-CSOs partnerships for Inclusive Local Governance.”
Mr Botwe said his Ministry has held several engagements with stakeholders and encouraged them to respect the views and rights of others before, during and after the exercise.
He said government had ensured a fair playing ground for all parties and debunked reports of intimidation against some people.
“A lot is happening on the ground. It is interesting to see people from different political parties working together in committees, so Ghana will be the winner after everything,” the Minister said.
Dr. Kwesi Jonah, a Senior Research Fellow, Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG), said calls for new regions arose because the country failed to pursue a “balanced development” with goods, services and infrastructure concentrated in the national and regional capitals.
He urged officials of the Electoral Commission and security services to act professionally for peaceful referendums.
Dr. Jonah also called on traditional rulers and opinion leaders in the affected areas to ensure that the polls were peaceful.
The referendum for the creation of Oti Region out of the Volta Region is scheduled for Thursday, December 27, 2018.
Meanwhile, hundreds of people, natives and non-natives are massing up in the Oti enclave with “yes” and “no” campaigns, a few days to vote.
Health walks, community durbars and house-to-house engagements are regular activities of the campaign.
Source: GNA
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Dear jojo , when politics clouds thinking unnecessary , actions and behaviors are always not the best. One has to lie, use propaganda and spin things to justify out of way actions. Nobody eats party colors , neither would it bring development but a well organized government does. For 27yrs, volta region has been kept under developed in spite of party loyalty. They are now feeding you with vile propaganda and unfortunately you are falling for it. If your own would not give you what you want and your perceived enemy would offer you please GO FOR IT. The Fante elders say, and I quote: If you would not be accommodated , you would hear the weather being discussed. Unquote: Just look at the weather now and see if you are welcome else better set off early to your village.
The police is making things worse for this gov.In Ho the people needs to taik to not to arrest them .Some do not understand all this .This a matter individual choice .just explain to them no one should force any that one .Forcing people is an offence.