The Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, Eric Opoku has described Chieftaincy disputes as a major bane to the rapid development of the Brong-Ahafo region. Mr. Opoku revealed that Brong-Ahafo region comes first in terms of chieftaincy disputes among all the regions in the country, which does not speak well in attracting prospective investors, hence the urgent need to resolve them.
He said this at the official inauguration of Nana Kumi Gyeabour as the chief of Asufufu within the Sunyani Traditional Area. The Regional Minister commended the chiefs and people of Asufufu for the smooth transition in the installation of Nana Kumi Gyeabour and urged them to continuously support him to deliver in unity and peace.
According to Mr. Eric Opoku, Asufufu has been lucky in terms of road network, since the major ring-road, which is under-construction passes through the Asufufu area, which will help open up the area for investors and job creation.
He added that though the construction of the ring-road is assiduously ongoing, the major challenge facing the project is unauthorised structures along the path of the ring road, which must be demolished to pave way for the completion of the project within the allotted period.
Mr. Eric Opoku used the opportunity to caution private developers who have encroached on lands demarcated for future developmental projects to desist from that act and always seek for permit from the respective District and Municipal Assemblies before construction, to avoid future demolishing.
He hinted that plans were far advanced to expand the runway at the Sunyani Airport and its landing field, but private developers have encroached on the land thereby making it difficult for expansion work to commence.
According to the Minister, the current size and length of the runway of the Sunyani Airport renders the airport unsuitable for use by medium range jets, hence the only way to ensure its expansion is to demolish all unauthorized structure within the allocated lands for the airport expansion project.
The Regional Minister made these known when the newly inaugurated Chief of Asufufu, Nana Kumi Gyeabour appealed for more development projects in the area, such as school, street lights and a health facility.
According to Nana Kumi Gyeabour, Asufufu has no basic school, which has contributed to more dropouts, particularly among the girls, hence the use of the occasion to solicit for financial support to promote Girl Child Education at Asufufu.
Among the dignitaries present at the ceremony were the General Secretary of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, the Deputy Minister of Sports, Vincent Oppong Asamoah, the Brong-Ahafo Regional Chairman of the NDC, Mr. Opoku Atuahene, the Regional Organizer of NDC, Mahama Seidu, the President of the National Queenmothers Association, Nana Abena Boatemaa, the Akwamuhene of Sunyani Traditional Area, Nana Kwaku Saabeng Ababio and the Deputy National Secretary of the NPP, Nana Obiri Boahen.
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