Elevate Aburi to municipality-Otobuor Djan Kwasi

The Aburihene, Otobuor Djan Kwasi II, has appealed to the government to elevate the Akuapem South District to a municipality.

He said the district had a history in the governance of the country dating back to colonial days, indicating that Aburi was the seat of the then Governor, Sir Gordon Guggisberg, and currently hosts the Peduase Lodge.

Historical Aburi

“The Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Post, formerly known as Post Office, and the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation were all started from Aburi. The very first hospital in the country was also stationed here,” the chief added.

He stated that the development of the nation started from the area and was far advanced to maintain its current district status and, therefore, needed to be elevated into a municipality.

Otobuor Djan Kwadi, who is also the Akuapem Adontenhene, made the call at the 31st Akuapem Adonten festival which was held last Saturday.

Held on the theme: “The Role of Traditional Authorities in the Social, Economic and Environmental Development”, the festival brought together some traditional leaders, political figures, including the Member of Parliament for Akuapem South, Mr O.B. Amoah, and a section of the general public.

Referendum

The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hajia Alima Mahama, who was the Guest Speaker, reiterated the government’s commitment to deepen local-level participatory democracy by seeing to the election of metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives (MMDCEs).

She urged all registered voters to participate in the process to ensure that the power to elect MMDCEs was given to the people and not the president, stressing that a ‘Yes’ vote at the referendum would ensure that MMDCEs became accountable to the people.

Hajia Mahama also commended the chiefs of Aburi for their commitment to development, peace and progress and urged other traditional authorities to emulate their exemplary leadership.