The 2024 Flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) John Mahama, has expressed his support for calls to create a new region out of the Bawku area in the Upper East Region.

During a campaign tour of the Upper East Region on Saturday, August 3, Mr Mahama acknowledged the constitutional challenges that need to be addressed in achieving this but affirmed that the reasons presented for the creation of the new region are justified.

Mr Mahama made these comments when he visited the Bawku Naba’s palace.

According to him, a proposal has been presented to the Speaker of Parliament through the Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga to that effect.

The NDC Flagbearer believes the new region would address pertinent issues such as the security challenges in the Bawku area and create more job opportunities.

He is of the view that the land size and population of the Bawku area qualify it for a new region.

He explained that the creation of new regions and districts is intended to decentralise governance and improve security.

“I discussed something with him. Your Member of Parliament, I’m aware he has written a letter to the Speaker requesting that another region should be created out of the Upper East Region to cover the six constituencies in the Bawku area.

“Bawku Naaba raised it with me, and I told him in principle I think it’s a good idea for two reasons. One, for the reason of bringing government closer to the people.”

“That’s the principal reason for which we create new regions and new districts. And then the second reason is security. Bawku is a special security zone because of the issues that have been happening here. And so it would be a good proposal to have a region so that it can be a focus to make sure that we deal with the security issues as well as we can.”

“And so, I don’t think it’s out of place because the criteria are dependent on population, they are dependent on land size, and they are dependent on economic viability.”