Kassena-Nankana East Constituents Want Separate District/Constituency.

Bolgatanga, Feb. 16, GNA - Seven Divisional Chiefs, Assemblymen and opinion leaders from Kassena-Nankana East in the Upper East Region at the weekend petitioned the President, John Agyekum Kufour, and the Electoral Commission (EC) to heed to their request for a separate district and constituency, as a matter of fairness.

They assert that as far back as the 1970s, the seven villages, including Manyoro, Natugnia, Nabango, Yua, Kandiga, Sirigu and Mirigu have been requesting through democratic means for a separate district and constituency, but that their requests have always been turned down.

At a press conference held in Bolgatanga to press home their demands, the chiefs conceded that there had been petty squabbles and conflicts in the area, but that they had resolved to bury their differences and to refrain from raising issues that would spark off confrontation between communities in the area.

The Chief of Manyoro, Pe Roger Apungu Maapeh, who presided over the conference, indicated that the Garu-Tempane, Kassena-Nankana East, Bongo and Bawku West were earmarked for the creation of districts in the region as far back as 1988. Bongo and Bawku West Districts were created, while Garu-Tempane got theirs last year. "Surprisingly, two districts have been created recently in the region without the mention of the Kassena-Nankana East", he said.

He contended that the present arrangement of the two constituencies in the Kassena-Nankana District has made it impossible for the fullest co-operation and integration of the people towards the proper development of the area.

Pe Maapeh said the seven villages have unique traditional and cultural practices that bound them together, adding that this element of uniqueness has been dissipated by the fact that the area has been shared among the Navrongo Central and Paga-Chiana constituencies, which makes it impossible for effective administration and development.

"We therefore, think that the most appropriate time for the demarcation of the constituency and the creation of a separate district for us is now, and therefore, passionately appeal to the Electoral Commission to as a matter of fairness move in and carry out the exercise to grant us a district before the forthcoming general election," he said.

He said the political demarcation of Kassena-Nankana was done in the colonial days when the colonial masters pursued their selfish agenda with little attention and consideration to the cultural and traditional differences between the Kassena-Nankana East and West, adding, "we see it as a disgrace to our dignity as a people to perpetuate a colonial agenda well known to be outmoded in this era of positive change,".

He further stated that, "the Chiefs and people have resolved that the name of the district shall be called Kassena-Nankana East District. We have further resolved that the government and for that matter President J.A. Kufuor, who has the prerogative, should determine where the capital would be sited."

With a population density of about 85,000, Kassena-Nankana East is predominantly occupied by the Nankanis who speak the "Nankan" dialect. It also mobilises the highest amount of revenue for the Kassena-Nankana District Assembly.

Its major problem is that is lacks access roads to link it to the West, especially through Paga-Chiana constituency since a number of the villages in the East come under that constituency. Pe Maapeh later presented a copy of the petition to the Special Assistant to the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr. Paul Allore.