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Deputy Minister of Regional Re-organisation and Development Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah has stated that the government of Ghana will not spend money on organising a referendum for the creation of new regions in the country.

According to him, claims by some persons that the creation of some six new regions will take a toll on the national purse is not true.

Speaking on 3FM’s Sunrise on Monday, Mr. Korsah said the referendum for the creation of the new regions will be carried out by the Electoral Commission, Ghana (EC) and that they would work with their already existing budget.

“It is the EC’s budget; of course, maybe you would have to get additional personnel…This is just a referendum… you are not buying any separate equipment because of this referendum.”

He added: “I do not think [the referendum] has a separate cost for now. You have the various stakeholder agencies that have their annual budget sent and approved by parliament; and they will be undertaking this as a small assignment within their yearly program.”

The said referendum is scheduled to take place on Thursday, December 27, 2018.

Mr. Korsah also noted that plans are far advanced for the referendum to be carried out.

Background

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) promised to create new regions prior to the 2016 general elections.

President Nana Akufo-Addo established a Commission of Inquiry to look into the issue of the proposal to create the new regions which were agreed at six after a nationwide consultative meeting.

Findings from the Commission gave the president the go-ahead to begin the processes towards the creation of the new regions.

The Commission recommended that the EC should carry out a referendum in the proposed regions.

The new regions to be created are Western North, Bono East, Ahafo, Savannah, North East, and Oti regions.