Accra, June 22, GNA - The Office of the President and the Council of State are studying the petition by the Yabumwura, Bawa Doshi, Paramount Chief of Gonja Traditional Area, for the division of the Northern Region into two regions and "an appropriate response will be issued in due course," Mr Kwadwo Mpiani, Minister of Presidential Affairs, told Parliament on Thursday.

He said President John Agyekum Kufuor had acknowledged the receipt of the petition and had accordingly informed the Yabumwura that action was being taken on the matter.

Mr Mpiani was responding to a question from Mr John Mahama, NDC 96 Bole 96 Bamboi, on action taken on the petition by the traditional ruler.

Mr Mahama questioned if it was normal that since 2003, no action had been taken on the matter but Mr Mpiani said the creation of a region was a serious matter that needed to be studied, which was exactly what the President was currently doing.

The Member then drew attention to the provisions of the 1992 Constitution, saying the President after receiving a petition was not to spend time studying the matter but rather after consultation with the Council of State, a commission was to be set up to look into the matter.

Mr Mpiani also referred to the Constitution, saying it had provided that the President decides the merits or otherwise of a petition in consultations with the Council of State before setting up a commission. In response to another question, Mr Mpiani told the House that the full complements of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) had been appointed with Mr Justice Emile Short as Commissioner; Ms Anna Bossman and Mr Richard Ackon Quayson, as Deputy Commissioners.

Mr Mpiani was responding to a question on when the President was going to appoint the full complement of members of CHRAJ. He said Article 2(1) of the CHRAJ Act, 1993, provided that 93the Commission shall consist of a Commissioner and two Deputy Commissioners=94.

He said Mr Emile Short was on a short assignment with the United Nations and would resume his position when he returns to the country.