NEW DIRECTIVE FOR REMOVAL OF BUSIA'S STATUE (NOV 9, PAGE 16)

The Brong Ahafo Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) has not given any directive to the effect that the statue of Dr Kofi Abrefa Busia, which is currently standing at the Jubilee Park in Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo Region, should be demolished.
The Regional House of Chiefs has also not instructed the BA@50 Planning Committee to remove the statue and neither has the committee itself taken any categorical decision to carry out such an action contrary to public speculation.
The Omanhene of Prang Traditional Area, Nana Kwadwo Nyarko III, who is also the Chairman of the BA@50 Planning Committee, dispelled the notion at a grand durbar of the chiefs and people of the Brong Ahafo Region to climax the year-long Golden Jubilee celebration of the creation of the region on Saturday.
He declared: "We, therefore, plead with all parties to exercise restraint on this matter since those propagating such unfounded allegations are only playing the devil’s advocate and are probably up to some mischief".
He said: "Let us rather concentrate on the things that bind us together as one people since in unity we find strength".
According to the chairman of the anniversary planning committee, the decision to celebrate the creation of the region, was a clear demonstration to the current generation that the region was worth dying for.
Secondly, he pointed out that, it was to rekindle the sense of unity and tenacity of purpose of the Brong Ahafo citizens, and that with togetherness, "we would be able to propel the socio-economic development of the region to greater heights to reduce poverty and improve the quality of life of our people".
The theme for the celebration was: "Brong Ahafo @ 50: Achievements, Challenges and Prospects".
According to the chairman, among the benefits to be derived from the celebration of the Golden Jubilee are the planting of 30,000 tree seedlings, made up of cassia and teak species, in all the district capitals.
“It is our belief that we have supported the Government’s policy and drive towards making Ghana green".
He also said the organisation of various sporting activities was considered a catalyst to improve the physical health and fitness of the citizenry.
He said 600 schoolchildren, 20 of whom were drawn from each district, were offered the opportunity to have lunch and interact with accomplished personalities, role models and nananom in the region.
In addition, he noted that the trade and investment fair/exhibition, which was dubbed: "Dwa Kessie 2009", attracted both local and foreign participation, which not only showcased the region’s immense potential but also resulted in the marketing and sale of products.
Furthermore, Nana Nyarko pointed out that the Congress of Brong Ahafo Citizens served as a rallying point for regional consensus building, forged unity among citizens and also invigorated the people to revisit those laudable principles of the gallant chiefs, especially, those in leadership to serve the people better.
The chairman of the planning committee, however, admitted that the committee faced a lot of challenges in its work but nevertheless, with hard work, selfless commitment, tenacity of purpose and focus, its members were able to deliver their assigned tasks successfully.
The President of the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, Osahene Kwaku Aterkyi II, and the Omanhene of the Kukuom Traditional Area, expressed his appreciation to the government for the unique contribution it made towards the overall development of the region, in respect of education, health, road network, electricity supply, telecommunications and the provision of other social services, including potable water supply.
He, however, said the region still faced several challenges in respect of the development of infrastructure generally, inadequate health facilities, water supply and education facilities.
The Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Nyamekye-Marfo, paid glowing tribute to all nananom of blessed memory and other distinguished personalities, who fought for the creation of the region as well as all previous governments for their contributions towards infrastructure development of the region.
He expressed his appreciation to the Government and the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETfund) for the construction of an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre for chiefs and people of the region on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee celebration, which would go a long way to enhance the use of ICT among schoolchildren in the region.
Mr Nyamekye-Marfo, on behalf of the RCC and planning committee, thanked the President J.E.A. Mills and his Vice, Mr John Dramani Mahama, ministers and all other personalities who made the celebration a success.