The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Communications Directorate in the Ahafo Region has strongly criticised the Asunafo North Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Joseph Akparibo, for labelling the region's creation as a "useless" undertaking. The party asserts that the 2019 establishment of the Ahafo Region has delivered significant economic and developmental benefits to its residents.
Regional Communications Officer Alfred Asiedu led the NPP's rebuttal, demanding an apology from MCE Akparibo to the people and chiefs of Ahafo. The party warned that failure to apologise would lead to public demonstrations, demanding his resignation or termination by President John Mahama. The NPP emphasised that the region's creation fulfilled a long-standing demand for administrative decentralisation and accelerated local development.
This dispute highlights the ongoing political discourse surrounding decentralisation efforts in Ghana, particularly the creation of six new regions in 2019. These administrative changes aimed to bring governance closer to the people and stimulate local economies. The NPP's defence of the Ahafo Region's impact aligns with the government's broader strategy to enhance regional development and resource allocation, a key policy plank since 2017.
Mr. Asiedu stated, "The creation of the region in 2019 under the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration successfully fulfilled a long-standing demand for administrative decentralization and accelerated local development." This statement underscores the political will behind the regional reorganisation. The NPP's detailed account of achievements serves as a direct counter-narrative to the MCE's criticism.
The economic implications of the Ahafo Region's creation are substantial, affecting local commerce, employment, and public finance. The establishment of Goaso as the regional capital has boosted local commerce, real estate, and hospitality sectors. This growth has significantly increased the Internally Generated Funds (IGF) of the Asunafo North Municipal Assembly, providing more resources for local projects. The decentralisation of public institutions, including regional directorates for education, health, agriculture, and security, has created hundreds of direct civil service jobs. These new positions, alongside indirect economic opportunities, have stimulated the local labour market. Furthermore, improved infrastructure, such as the completed Bechem-Techimantia-Akumadan road and ongoing Tepa-Goaso road work, enhances inter-regional transport and trade. The region has also forged formal diplomatic ties with several foreign embassies, including China, Germany, and South Korea, to market local investment prospects in agriculture and mining. These partnerships are crucial for attracting foreign direct investment and diversifying the regional economy. The NPP urged officials in Ahafo to focus on building upon the region's expanding economic foundation rather than dismissing the tangible progress achieved since 2019. Future economic reports will likely track the continued growth in IGF and investment inflows. Decision-makers will monitor these metrics to assess the long-term success of regional decentralisation policies.