Sefwi-Wiawso named capital of Western North Region

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has named Sefwi Wiawso as the capital of the newly created Western North Region.

The president made the declaration shortly after midday on Friday during a ceremony to present the Constitutional Instrument (CI) 117 to the Omanhene of the Sefwi Anhwiaso Traditional Area, Ogyeahohoo Yaw Gyebi II, who is also President of the Western Regional House of Chiefs at the Jubilee House, Accra.

"I'm delighted to welcome you all to Jubilee House, the seat of our nation's presidency. For you, Nananom and members of the delegation from Western North Region, today must be a very happy day, and I dare say for myself too", said President Akufo Addo shortly before he presented the CI to the leader of the Western North regional delegation. 

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The new region brings to 15, the number of regions in the country, with the expected inauguration of the sixteenth and final one Friday afternoon, the Oti Region.

In an address at the Golden Jubilee House shortly before signing the attestation to the creation of the new region, President Akufo-Addo bemoaned the underdevelopment of the area in spite of its rich natural resources.

He said the area had fewer schools with no tertiary institution, stressing that government will work to improve the lots of the area.

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According to President Akufo-Addo, the people of the newly created Western North Region have made several unsuccessful attempts in getting their own region since the mid-1970s and that the creation of the region has been a “culmination of what you sought for unsuccessfully since the mid-1970s.”

He said the creation of the Western North Region was specifically mentioned in the 2016 manifesto of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

He said the creation of the Western North Region would open up the area for accelerated development and progress, saying “Western North administrative region has been created to bring governance closer to you and accelerate your social economic development to you.”

He said GH¢20 million has been earmarked for some vital economic infrastructures to help accelerate the development of the new region in the 2019 budget.

Read Also: President Akufo-Addo to give Constitutional Instruments to new regions Tuesday

In his remarks, the Omanhene of the Sefwi Anhwiaso Traditional Area, Ogyeahohoo Yaw Gyebi II, said “Today, you set western north region on the path of progress.”

According to him, “The people of Western North Region will forever remember you as the President who gave them hope when they were in despair; accelerated growth when they were neglected, and a better standard when they were marginalised.”