BY GRATHAM MCKINTOSH
Chiefs and people from the proposed Oti region had their first conference last week to kick start preparations towards the creation of the region. The people in this part of the volta region have been fighting for a separate region for over the past 40 years.
Knowledge of the area clearly justifies the move towards a separate region, indeed the northern half of the volta region has a huge tropical rain forest which has over the years served as the food basket of the region. The enclave produces huge quantities of other cash crops like Cocoa, coffee and cola. Unfortunately, the northern half of the volta region is very, very deprived. It has been ignored, successive governments had concentrated development at the south half of the region.
The areas to be carved out of the Volta region are inter alia: Jasikan district, Biakoye district, Kadjebi district, Nkwanta North and south and Krachie east, west and Ntsumuru districts. Also included are Santrokofi, Akpafu, Likpe and Lolobi traditional areas all in the Hohoe municipality.
The Volta region is made up of Ewes who cover the southern half of the region and an amalgam of Guans, Buems and Akans, in the Northern half.
Development in the region over the years has been tilted towards the south leaving the North very deprived.
The call for a new region to be called Oti region is purely developmental to address the desparity in the as area.
The people of the area are resolved, they are currently clear in their minds and will stop at nothing to ensure they have their own region.
Interestingly, both the NDC and NPP have agreed it is a legitimate call and should support the drive fully.
THE DIGEST 