Western North kicks against distribution of govt agencies across region

Western North Solidarity Movement (WNSM) has petitioned President Akufo-Addo to take a second look at a new policy that seeks to distribute core government department and agencies across Western North Region.

According to the group, the move, which they said would be detrimental to the overall interest of the people also has the potential of scaring away professionals and investors to the region.

The petition, signed by Lieutenant Colonel A. Aduhene (rtd), President, WNSM, and two other executives, said “Mr President, this new policy is akin to requesting government ministries in Accra to be spread across the country.

“For instance, relocating Ministry of Health to Sunyani and Ministry of Education to Bolgatanga. Arguments that will be advanced against such a move are the same for this new policy under reference,” the petition reads.

The basis for writing to the President was borne out of an advert they claim to have seen on the September 24, 2019 edition of the Ghanaian Times, which stated that the vital regional administrative departments and agencies were rather being scattered across the region.

“This move, we respectfully submit, will be counter-productive and at variance with the main reasons for which the chiefs and people of the region agitated for the separation from the South,” the petition notes.

Giving some more scenarios to buttress their point, the WNSM said in the petition that, the people clamoured for the creation of the region due to long-distance from Sekondi, the difficulty in accessing services, governance not being closer to the people and lack of infrastructural development.

Albeit, the long-distance travel to Sekondi, the then capital, the petition said, “it was easy for them to do business with all government departments and agencies because they are located within short distances from Sekondi–Takoradi.”

They explained that per the advertisement placed, the regional office for Feeder Roads, already based in Sefwi Wiawso, since 1986 would be relocated to Enchi, a two-hour journey from the Western North regional capital.

Again, the regional health and education directorates and the regional agricultural office will be located at Bodi, Bibiani and Juaboso respectively, an hour’s drive from the capital.

“The question is, which other regional offices are earmarked for the remaining five district capitals and what then becomes of the regional capital?” the petitioned asked.

The group said it was at loss as to what informed the selection of Bodi for the regional health directorate, when the district cannot boast of a clinic, let alone a district hospital.

They further said what Bodi needs, in their view, is a district hospital but not a regional health directorate, which is supposed to be in the region.

“Following the introduction of this policy, the unity of purpose and the ‘esprit de corps’ that united us to fight for this region, has given way to needless mistrust, disunity, tension, disappointment, rancor, apathy and acrimony among our people who have peacefully co-existed for ages,” the petition added.

Meanwhile, the petition also suggested some developmental initiatives to the President, to fulfill his vision of spreading development to all parts of the region.

It suggested that every district capital must have good all-weather roads linking the regional capital, and that every district is provided with a district hospital.

The petition also suggested that banks are encouraged to open branches in every district, and all districts have equal access to internet and recreational facilities.

They want STC and Metro Mass services to be extended to every district, and that all government departments and agencies in the regional capital have their respective district offices, among others.