Sunyani, Sept 23, GNA - The Omanhene of the Acherensua Traditional Area, Agyewodin Adu Gyamfi Ampem, has suggested the re-naming of the Brong Ahafo Region to avoid the divisive tendencies that militate against its progress and development.

He said the name of the region suggests that it is made up of only Brongs and Ahafos, and this was encouraging the growth of factionalism, as there are other ethnic groups. Agyewodin Ampem was speaking at a symposium at Sunyani on Wednesday as part of the 40th anniversary celebration of the creation of the Brong Ahafo region.

The symposium was under the topic "unity, peace and development". Agyewodin Apem, who is also the chairman of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, mentioned tribes such as Ntumuru, Mfantra, and Mo as among others who have been marginalised as the result of the name "Brong Ahafo Region".

"If we must retain the name, we should endeavour to cancel from our memory the thought that the region is made up of Bonos and Ahafos. It is rather a multi-ethnic one". Agyewodin Ampem called on the people to strive to live as one people, avoiding "acts that divide us", and called for an end to the polarisation of ethnic origins.

The Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr. Donald Adabre called on the people to join hands with the government to enhance the development of the region. He stressed the importance of unity and peace, which he said were the guiding principles of the chiefs and forefathers who began the struggle for the creation of the region 40 years ago