Ghana’s historic referendum for the creation of six new regions comes has began without any reported incident according GBC’s correspondents in the field. They indicate that the weather is cold in most places with the advent of the dry season.
However as early as 5am voters were in line to cast their ballots. Eligible voters from Ahafo, Western North, Savannah, North East, Oti and Bono East, are deciding whether new regions should be created for them.
A total of two million 260 thousand 724 voters are expected to vote in the enclave for the proposed creation of the six regions. The proposed six new regions are Western North Region to be carved out of the Western Region, Oti Region to be carved out of the Volta Region Ahafo and Bono East regions to be carved out of the Brong Ahafo and Savannah and North East to be carved out of the Northern Region.
Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs Jean Mensa has assured all that they are on top of issues and logistics and other materials for the referenda are in place. This was confirmed by out correspondents on the ground. Our Correspondent at Western North, Gloria Anderson reported that enthusiasm is very high regarding the polls as the people are ready for the creation of the Western North Region.
Also rules have been meted out on how inhabitants should behave and have also been educated on the colors that will distinguish the options. From the Northern Region Correspondent Murtala Issah who reported from Damongo, the collation centre for the proposed Savannah Region also said expectations are very high, as they are expecting 80 percent of the people to vote yes. He said they are not anticipating any hitches and expect the election to go on well.
From the Brong Ahafo Region, Correspondent John Sam Arthur, also pointed out that residents are enthusiastic about the exercise to the extent that people got to the polling stations as early as 5am. He said although there was some delays, voting has began. He said Police have beefed up security to ensure a successful exercise.
Correspondents Bubu Klinogo and Micah Tulevo report that the people are poised to vote. Besides earlier concerns about security, the officials are on top the situation to ensure that citizens vote in a civil manner to ensure that President Akufo Addo’s quest to create six new regions becomes a reality.
Story by Rebecca Ekpe
