Former President John Dramani Mahama has congratulated the people of the northern part of the Western Region for the peaceful nature with which they voted in the December 28 referendum to have the Western North Region.

Addressing members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Sefwi Juaboso on Saturday, Mr Mahama said the processes leading to the creation of regions are mere formalities.

He said the holding of a referendum, for instance, is a must in the creation of a new region.

Voters gave a whopping 99.5 per cent endorsement to the new region.

But Mr Mahama said, in local language Twi, that what is important is the purpose for which a region is set up: development.

“But why do we want a region?” he quizzed.

“We want a region because we want development, not so? I know it is by that reason that we wanted the Western North [region] and NDC is the party to bring that development.”

He further called on delegates to vote massively for him in the January 26 presidential primary.

The former president said the NDC needs a unifier and he is the only candidate that can unify the leadership of the party.

“You have the power and it is important we come and present ourselves to you. That is why I have come. Call me JM and I will respond.”

He said a vote for him is a vote to bring the NDC back to power in 2020.