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A joint committee from Akpafu and Lolobi Traditional Areas has petitioned the Appointment Committee of Parliament to reject Daniel Botwe’s appointment to head the Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development Ministry.
The Committee, in a statement, noted that Mr Botwe played a significant role in the removal of Lolobi and Akpafu from the Hohoe Municipality despite their objection.
“As Minister for Regional Organisation and Development, he incompetently supervised the forced removal of Lolobi and Akpafu from the Hohoe Municipality, in spite of clear indications that the people were opposed to this unlawful act.
They also blame him for not taking the necessary steps to “minimize the effects of his unlawful actions on the innocent people of Lolobi and Akpafu, which resulted in confusion regarding the district which was responsible for the provision of public goods and services such as security, health and education.”
In their view, the failure of the former Minister for Regional Reorganisation and Development subsequently caused the disenfranchisement of residents during the 2020 election.
The Committee further described the Okere Constituency MP as having a “patronizing attitude” and as one who lacks “a sense of responsibility” and “respect for the rights of the Chiefs and people of Lolobi to self-determination”.
“The right to self-determination is at the very core of the principles around which the concept of local governance, decentralization and sustainable development have been built over the years”
This right to self-determination, they say, was breached several times when Mr Botwe was Regional Reorganisation Minister.
“AII appeals to the minister [Mr Botwe] to rectify the egregious mistake fell on deaf ears. On the contrary, the minister insisted that the Chiefs and people of Lolobi and Akpafu should return home and partake in the referendum whether they liked it or not. And contrary to false claims by the minister, the referendum was largely boycotted within the two traditional areas.
“In addition to the above, Mr Dan Botwe’s refusal to take steps to undo the unlawful acts that led to the inclusion of Lolobi and Akpafu Traditional Areas in the list of communities to be included in the Oti Region reveals a lack of respect for the laws of Ghana.”
Consequently, they stated that “Mr Dan Botwe lacks the requisite qualification and attitude to occupy the office of the Minister of State for Local Government, Decentalisation and Development” and as such prayed the “august House to decline the request for his approval as the Minister for Local Government, Decentralization and Development”.
Source: myjoyonline.com
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