Voting has started in the districts marked for the creation of the Ahafo region out of the Brong Ahafo region in the Tano North Constituency.
This exercise, which is part of the referendum taking place across four regions to create six new regions in the country, has seen some residents turning out in their numbers to vote.
The process started at exactly 7am as advertised.
The Deputy Returning Officer for the Tano North Constituency, Mr. Afful Nyantakyi who spoke to Citi News said all election materials have been secured and distributed to the various polling stations.
He added that election officers will strive to do their best to ensure a smooth and incident-free process but voters must exercise restraint to make the process successful.
“Initially we distributed the materials to the various zones and the presiding officers came for it from the zones. We went round to check and the process is ongoing smoothly. The security arrangements have been made and the security personnel are there to ensure that law and order is enforced. It is a very smooth process and everyone is happy casting their vote,” Afful Nyantakyi said.
Meanwhile, some residents are optimistic that the Ahafo Region will be created at the end of the process.
One of the residents who spoke to Citi News said they believe more young people will gain employment if the region is created.
“I believe that this will create employment for us. When we get a new region, we will get a new capital and when they are building new offices, and all that, more young people will be employed to work on that. It is will make our area big and more recognized. Our major issue is employment.”
Another resident said the Tano North area has been deprived of development for a very long time and they are hopeful that with the area being carved out into a new region, it will see more development.
“Creating a new region is very important to us because development will come here. The region is very big and so in the distribution of their national cake is very unfair. We are seeing it as a new opportunity for the youth to even get employment,” he said.
Another resident said, “we see it necessary because it will create employment for we the youth. I wish all the youth to come out to vote massively for us to get at least 95% YES vote.
Voters in most of the 47 districts in the affected regions began queuing at their respective polling stations as early as 4 am to cast their votes in the election which officially started at 8 am.
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By: Jonas Nyabor | citinewsroom.com | Ghana