Flag-bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama has described a demand by the overlord of Bawku, for the creation of a new region as feasible.
Mr. Mahama, addressing the gathering at the palace of the Bawku Naba, stated that a request by the Zugran for a new region during his private engagement with him seems feasible in principle for two reasons.
These reasons he said are for security and the drive to bring governance closer to the people.
“Bawku Naba raised it with me and I told him in principle, I think it’s a good idea for two reasons – for bringing governance closer to the people, that’s the principal reason for which we create new regions and new districts and the second reason for security,” he stated.
“You can be assured that you have my support and that I feel that it’s justified that we have a region here in the Bawku area,” he assured.
The criteria for the creation of new regions he noted are based on population, land size and economic viability and these, he believes, the six Municipal and District Assemblies in the Bawku zone meet the criteria for the creation of the new region.
Comparing the Bawku zone to that of the North East Region, he said they have similar population and land mass dynamics hence, he finds the demand as one that is feasible.
“The criteria are dependent on population; they are dependent on land size and economic viability. If you look at North East, I think that the people in the Bawku area in these 6 constituencies, the population probably is more than in the North East. I don’t have the figures.”
He added, “And if you look at the land size, it is comparable to the land size of the North East. If you look at the economic viability, Bawku is a major trading and commercial centre. And so, it qualifies on all the 3 grounds”.
