Sunyani (Brong Ahafo), 8th November 99 - The government will consider requests for the creation of new regions and districts, President Jerry John Rawlings, said at Sunyani on Saturday. He told a grand durbar of the chiefs and people of the Brong Ahafo region at Sunyani that such requests would, however, be considered "if they are based on population, resources and socio-economic factors".

President Rawlings invited Mr. John Agyekum Kufuor, Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party to join him on the dais at the durbar, attended by a cross section of the people and all the paramount chiefs, climaxed the 40th anniversary of the creation of the region. President Rawlings said factors such as ethnic origins or traditional allegiance alone are not adequate basis for creating new regions and districts. "Indeed, to follow that path would lead to the eventual balkanization of our nation and would rather retard development and broad disunity." President Rawlings said during the period leading to the creation of the region, the campaign took on certain ethnic and political dimensions. Even today, he said, "these sentiments could still arouse strong feelings". "However, four decades as a region would be long enough to forge a sense of unity and put behind us any lingering animosities". President Rawlings said the government has done a lot to improve facilities such as schools, roads, telecommunications and hospitals "but the overall picture of education in the region is bleak since the dropout rate is high especially for the girls." He therefore appealed to chiefs, parents, opinion leaders and the communities in general to take a close interest in the day-to-day operations of their schools. President Rawlings said teachers and pupils should also be motivated and encouraged to give of their best and discard their outmoded attitude. He told the chiefs and people that "as we celebrate today, let us commit ourselves to further positive achievements in the new millennium." The Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr. Donald Adabre, noted that since the creation of the region 40 years ago, it has had "its twists and turns but there is a consolation in the fact that the struggle of its forefathers has not been in vain." He said the founding fathers deserve the highest honour from the people and added that the anniversary should mark the reawakening of the spirit of the citizens to push their determination forwards. Mr. Adabre said the anniversary should not be an occasion for vivid memories alone but also an epoch to indicate to the world that the region has come of age. In a welcoming address, Nana Kwadwo Nyarko, President of the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs said the House, which started with 18 paramount chiefs in 1959, now has 45 paramount chiefs. He said the inclusion of chiefs from the Ahafo section in the House has resolved differences that existed between the Ahafo and the Brong groups and "there is now perfect peace." Nana Nyarko thanked the government for bringing peace and unity among the people of the region as well as providing schools and other infrastrucutural facilities to enhance the lives of the people of the region.

He supported the view that after 40 years of the creation of the region and recognizing the multi-ethnic nature of its citizens, there is the need for a new name for the region which will reflect peace, stability and unity at all times. A minute silence was observed in remembrance of the departed founding fathers of the region. Sixteen people were honoured for their contributions to the economic growth of the region.

They included Prof. Agyewobin Adu Gyamfi Ampem, Acheresuahene, The Right Rev. James Kwadwo Owusu, Catholic Bishop of Sunyani, Mr. J.H. Owusu-Acheampong, Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr. Ernest Apraku, an industrialist and Mr. Thomas Ahimah, first national best farmer.