The New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ahafo Region has called on the Asunafo North Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Hon. Joseph Akparibo, to apologise to the people of Ahafo over comments attributed to him concerning the creation and development of the region.
The party said it was concerned about remarks allegedly made by Mr. Akparibo during a radio interview, including a statement that “those who created the Ahafo Region did nothing for it.”
The NPP described the comments as unfortunate and said they failed to recognise the administrative, economic and developmental changes that, in its view, have taken place since Ahafo became a separate region in 2019.
The Ahafo Regional Communications Officer of the NPP, Asiedu Alfred, who addressed the media, said the party had taken “grave notice” of the interview and considered the remarks inappropriate, particularly coming from a government official.
According to the NPP, the creation of the Ahafo Region followed the December 2018 referendum and was subsequently implemented in 2019 under the administration of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and then Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
The party said the decision was intended to bring government administration, development programmes, investment opportunities and public services closer to the people.
“The overarching reason that prompted the NPP to actualize the creation of the Ahafo Region was to bring public administration, government intervention, investment opportunities and development planning closer to the people,” the statement said.
The NPP argued that the new regional status had given the people of Ahafo a stronger administrative and cultural identity, as well as a united voice in national discussions on development and the allocation of resources.
It also said residents now have easier access to government institutions and services because several regional departments and agencies, including those responsible for agriculture, education, health and security, are located within the region.
The party questioned the relevance of new administrative positions created under the current National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration, including Regional Political Coordinator and Regional Liaison Officer.
“The NDC government has today created new administrative positions like Regional Political Coordinator, Regional Liaison Officer, etc. Are these useless positions too?” the statement asked.
On infrastructure, the NPP cited several road and other development projects as evidence of what it described as the benefits of regionalisation.
Among the projects mentioned was the Bechem-Techimantia-Akumadan Road, which the party said has been completed and provides a link between Ahafo, Ashanti and Bono East regions.
It also cited the reconstruction and asphaltic overlay of the Tepa-Goaso Road, which it said was intended to improve transportation and trade between Ahafo and the Ashanti Region.
The party further mentioned the construction and commissioning of a new district court at Hwidiem and a High Court in Goaso to serve the justice needs of the region.
It said a regional hospital project was also earmarked for Ahafo and continues to attract attention under the current NDC government.
The NPP also pointed to Goaso’s inclusion in the Secondary Cities Project, which resulted in the development of an ultramodern market and other facilities to support the city’s role as the regional capital.
According to the party, the previous NPP administration also started and brought the proposed Akrodie STEM University project close to completion, with a proposed campus at Mim.
The party noted that the proposed tertiary education projects are within the Asunafo North Municipality, where Mr Akparibo serves as MCE.
It further cited the satellite campus of the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) at Kenyasi, established in collaboration with Newmont Ahafo, as another development linked to the region’s growing educational infrastructure.
The NPP said plans by the current NDC government to establish a university campus at Acherensua and a college of health at Kenyasi also demonstrated the potential created by the region’s new status.
On employment, the party said the establishment of regional institutions had created direct and indirect job opportunities for residents.
It said the Ahafo Regional Coordinating Council and various regional directorates in education, health, security and other sectors had created employment for hundreds of people, while thousands more benefited indirectly through the supply of goods and services.
The NPP also argued that Goaso had experienced increased commercial activity since becoming the regional capital.
It said the city had attracted civil servants, traders, property developers and professionals, resulting in greater demand for government offices, residential accommodation, hotels, guesthouses, transportation, construction and other commercial services.
According to the party, the increased economic activity had also contributed to the revenue base of the Asunafo North Municipal Assembly through market tolls, property rates and other internally generated funds.
The NPP further cited business and investment opportunities in the region, including the AYUM project, which it said benefited from the One District, One Factory initiative, alongside private-sector investments in mining, hospitality, media, retail and transportation.
The party said the creation of Ahafo had also improved the coordination of development programmes by allowing public and private initiatives to focus on the specific needs and opportunities within the region.
It highlighted engagements initiated under former Ahafo Regional Minister George Yaw Boakye with several embassies and high commissions, including those of China, Germany, India, South Korea, Italy, South Africa, Turkey and Russia.
According to the NPP, the engagements were intended to promote Ahafo’s investment potential and attract international partnerships to accelerate development.
The party, however, criticised the current NDC administration for what it described as a failure to build adequately on those relationships.
On security, the NPP said the creation of the region had resulted in an expanded security presence, including regional commands for the Ghana Police Service, Ghana National Fire Service and Ghana Immigration Service, together with related infrastructure and logistics.
The party also raised concerns about incidents of vigilantism and violence it attributed to pro-NDC groups during the 2024 election period.
The NPP devoted particular attention to Goaso, saying the impact of regionalisation had been especially visible in the regional capital.
“Without doubt, the effect of regionalization has been more pronounced in Goaso than in any other part of the region. Of course, it is the regional capital,” the statement said.
The party noted that the Ahafo Regional Coordinating Council is located in Goaso, alongside a majority of regional government departments and agencies.
It also pointed out that Goaso is the seat of the Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs and said demand for land, housing, wholesale and retail services had increased since the town became the regional capital.
“Goaso has attracted civil servants, traders, property developers, professional services, etc. This new state of affairs has created a multiplier effect in the local economy,” the NPP stated.
The party explained that workers moving into Goaso require accommodation, food, education, healthcare and transportation, creating additional opportunities for businesses and households within the local economy.
It said the creation of Ahafo had therefore opened what it described as a new administrative and economic ecosystem around Goaso.
The NPP urged political leaders and other stakeholders to focus on using the region’s growing economic activities to develop its potential in agriculture, infrastructure, manufacturing and services.
The party maintained that the creation of Ahafo fulfilled a longstanding demand by the people and said the region’s development should remain a priority regardless of political affiliation.
“For us in the New Patriotic Party, the visionary party that responded to the hopes and aspirations of Nananom and peoples of Ahafo, by creating the new region, we are clear in our minds the enormous benefits brought to the area so far,” the statement said.
“We are clear about the potentials of the land and its people. We are also convinced that the future of the entire Ahafo Region can only become brighter with the NPP in government.”
The NPP subsequently called on Hon. Joseph Akparibo to withdraw the remarks attributed to him and apologise to the people of Ahafo.
The statement was signed by Asiedu Alfred, Regional Communications Officer of the NPP in the Ahafo Region.
