A group, known as the Eastern Youth Development Association is petitioning for the creation of a new region carved out of the Eastern Region, citing uneven access to services and infrastructure as the key rationale.

In a press statement dated September 4, the youth strongly backed calls by traditional leaders for a new administrative region, saying it would help "immensely contribute to the socio-economic development" of underserved communities.

"As a Youth group with the main objective of championing the development of the region, we believe it is a right call to bringing massive development to the area," the group said.

The Eastern Region, per their figures, covers over 19,000 square kilometers - representing 8.1% of the country's total landmass.

With a population of more than 3 million people, it is the third most populous region but lags significantly in development indicators.

"Due to the sparsely nature of the various districts from the capital, it makes it somehow cumbersome when certain services are needed urgently...in healthcare, education and other services," the group noted.

The group argued a new region could help address this by decentralizing governance and channeling more resources towards issues like access to healthcare, clean water, electricity, and jobs.

"It is certain the clear mismatch considering the size of and the population in the region with the development we see," said the statement.

Read the full statement below; 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2nd September, 2024.               Contact Persons:

John Nyakpo.               0205521557

                                                                                                   Emmanuel A. Nketia   0249756052

Isaac Adu Gyamfi        0244974972

 

CREATION OF A NEW REGION OUT OF THE EASTERN REGION

The Eastern Youth Development Association a youth group from the Eastern has officially announced it unwavering support to the call bythe chiefs and traditional leaders for the creation of a new region from the Eastern Region.

As a Youth group with the main objective of championing the development of the region we believe it is a right call to bringing massive development to the region.

Several facts about the Eastern region support this call, these include;

1.      Land Size. With a land size of Nineteen Thousand, Three Hundred and Twenty Three square kilometres(19,323km2) representing (8.1%)of the total land size of the Ghana.

2.      Population. The region has a total population of 2,925,653 representing 8.9% of Ghana’s population with an estimated annual growth rate of 0.98% since 2010 per the 2021 Population and housing census making it the third most populous region in Ghana with an estimated population of 3 Million and above (3,012,512).

3.      Contribution to National Economy. Endowed with numerous natural resources, agriculture, tourism and it human resource, the regions contribution to the national cake is unarguable.

4.      Difficulty in Receiving Certain Services. Due to the sparsely nature of the various districts from the capital,it makes it somehow cumbersome when certain services are needed urgently for instance in healthcare service with the only referral health facilityin the capital, in education and other services.

5.      Very limited Development.  It is certain the clear mismatch considering the size of and the population in the region with the development we see in the region, lack of quality healthcare, portable drinking water, electricity as well as economic opportunities and job for the people.

As agent for development in the region, we strongly believe that the carving of a new region from the Eastern region will immensely contribute to the socio economic development of the people in the new region and go a long way to help alleviate poverty by bridging the gap between the districts and the regional capital with additional development in infrastructure.

We are petitioning all the aspirants of the various political parties with a proposed name and sixteen (16) districts to cover the new region showing our full commitment to achieving this objective.

We therefore, call on all citizens and stakeholders of the proposed new region to rally greatly behind this dream and making it a reality.

Development for all.