Nkoranza chiefs dabbling in ’emotional blackmail’ over Bono East capital – Minister

Minister of Regional Reorganization and Development, Dan Botwe, has described as “shameful and baseless,” allegations and agitations by the chiefs and people of the Nkoranza Traditional Area over the tussle for the capital of the newly created Bono East Region.

He said the action of the chiefs and people of Nkoranza could best be compared to that of a child crying for something from the parents in what is popularly termed in Akan as ‘su gye’, loosely translated as emotional blackmail.

“They believe they have to fight for the regional capital so they have to use some tactics. They are doing what we call in Akan as ‘su gye’. They want to make noise so that it will be like, then, let us give it to them,” Mr. Botwe stated Tuesday morning.

The chiefs and people of Nkoranza on Monday hit the streets of the town to register their protest over what they said was a move by some well-connected politicians to get government to make Techiman the regional capital for Bono East.

They accused Mr. Botwe and his Deputy, Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah, of sidelining them in a number of consultation meetings held by the Ministry on the capital of the Bono East Region.

“If the capital of the Bono East region was not located at a place convenient for the chiefs and people of the region, it would have serious consequences on the fortunes of the New Patriotic Party in Election 2020” Osaedeeyo Akumfi Ameyaw II, the Paramount Chief of Techiman Traditional Area threatened.

Commenting on the agitation of the people of Nkoranza Tuesday on Onua FM’s Yen Sempa, Mr. Botwe said the allegation by the chiefs and people “is totally baseless and shameful for such a press conference to be held. It is totally baseless”.

He said the President is the one who decides on the towns to be selected as capitals for the six new regions created through a referendum on December 27, 2018 and not individuals.

“It is the work of the President. There were discussions and consultations. You can always be assured of discussions and consultations to arrive at a decision.

“They brought a petition for new regions so that there will be development and also bring governance to the people. These were the two main reasons why they brought the petition and we have done it,” he stressed.

Mr Botwe explained government at every stage of the processes on the new regions, consulted with the various stakeholders hence “it is not true that we did not consult them [the chiefs]”

“There are 13 traditional areas in Bono East, so should the rest also behave like the way Nkoranza Traditional Council is behaving, what do you think will happen? Why should a whole Chief with respect come and make such statements.

“To resurrect the matter that we did not consult them is neither here nor there”, he indicated

The Bono East Region which was carved out of the Brong Ahafo Region has Nkoranza, Techiman and Wenchi vying for the regional capital.

Beginning today, February 12, President Nana Akufo-Addo will issue a constitutional instrument to give effect to the new regions. The CI is expected to come with the regional capitals.