The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has said the creation of the six new regions will not industrialise Ghana, adding: “It is rather sharply dividing” Ghanaians on ethnic grounds.
The MP made the comments at a public forum held in Ho on the theme: "Bridging the Volta infrastructure and poverty gap; the role of stakeholders" on Saturday, 7 December 2019.
Six new regions were created by President Nana Akufo-Addo following a referendum that was held on 18 December 2018.
The six new regions include Oti, Savanna, Bono East, Bono, Ahafo and Western North.
However, the North Tongu MP noted that creating more regions is exacerbating ethnic rivalries.
“That notion that to develop in Ghana, to industrialise in Ghana, to get to the next level, to increase our per capital, our GDP and all of that, we should have more districts … should be discarded immediately.
“Having more districts is not what will industrialise Ghana, it’s not going to bring development and we’ve gotten to a time where politicians should be bold, it’s just like a father; it’s not everything your child asks that you give your child. We spent more on trying to set up that district and feed their bureaucracy and more people on the payroll at the expense of the taxpayer…” Mr Ablakwa said.
In his view, “The opportunism is becoming too much”, adding: “It is that same notion that has led to new regions; Ghana do we need sixteen regions?
“Our brothers and sisters in Oti, are they still not agitating, are they still not agitating for their roads, what difference has it made after they voted?
“And my fear, really, is that these things we’re doing, more regions, more districts, is rather sharply dividing us on ethnic grounds which is very very dangerous.”
Source: classfmonline.com
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I am aware the president did not create Trump’s type of wall around the divided regions so how can this imaginary divisions within the same country cause ethnic problem? Some voters in Volta and Ashanti have really done a great disservice to our parliament.
“That notion that to develop in Ghana, to industrialise in Ghana, to get to the next level, to increase our per capital, our GDP and all of that, we should have more districts …....:" so when did you realize this, since NDC also created many dictrict and promised creating regions if voted to power. Cheap politics indeed!!!!!
You people say, the world is now a global village where boundaries don't create divisions among people of the world. Ablakwa, I think you are a tribal bigot that is why you are thinking tribally. Or is it because your people cannot hold the those of Oti Region at ransom anymore? Try to be a nationalist for once and stop your narrow thinking ways.
John Ford Mahama also promised to create these regions when voted.... NDC COULD HAVE CAMPAIGNED FOR no vote during the referendum that lead to the creation of the regions..... Just wait when your corrupt double salary party ever return to power you can unite regions to stop dividing us. You created constituencies before the 2012 elections and you see nothing wrong with that. Hypocrates.
Na lie, Ashanti, Upper , Brong and western regions have all experienced this divisions before and still leaving in peace and harmony with one another, why is Volta different, that’s an indication that you are too tribal
Interesting indeed! Mr Ablakwah does not see anything wrong with the creation of more constituencies but sees everything wrong with the creation of new regions. Hypocrisy at its highest and ugliest best!
MR SAMUEL OKUDZETO ABLAKWA'S VIEWPOINT IS SIMPLY BASED ON A SYSTEMATIC PATTERN OF DEVIATION FROM RATIONALITY IN JUDGMENT. FIRST OF ALL, THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME GHANA HAVE CREATED NEW REGIONS. SECONDLY,THE SUCCESSFUL CREATION OF THE 6 NEW REGIONS WAS IN CONFORMITY WITH DUE PROCESS WHICH INCLUDED AN EXTENSIVE CONSULTATIVE PROCESS.THE OUTCOME OF THE PROCESSES (INCLUDING THE REFERENDUM ITSELF )WAS A CLEAR MANIFESTATION OF OVERWHELMING MAJORITY SUPPORT FOR THE CREATION OF THE NEW REGIONS. IN ANYCASE,MR SAMUEL OKUDZETO ABLAKWA OUGHT TO HAVE SHARED HIS VIEWS PRIOR TO THE CREATION OF THE NEW REGIONS NOT AFTER. SO IF YOU COULD NOT DO THAT BY THEN, THEN I'M SORRY TO SAY, THIS IS NOT THE TIME FOR SUCH BIAS VIEWPOINTS. PROGRESSIVELY, WE SHALL GET TO THE PROMISED LAND. ONE STEP AT T TIME. AND THE CREATION OF THE NEW REGIONS IS A GOOD STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION!! FORWARD EVER!!!
Masa we have gone passed this Where were you when the committee were soliciting views?
If you have nothing to contribute don't talk. If such a person was made education minister attached to higher institution what butter contribution could he made? You can only be an MP at where you are.
He is a western togoland boy and his motive is to create unnecessary tension for western togoland but bros pls start campaigning for your presidency at the western togoland. IF YOU'RE NOT HAPPY IN GHANA PLEASE PCK OUT!