Chief of Suisi-Okwenya in the Manya Krobo Traditional Area
The Chief of Suisi-Okwenya in the Manya Krobo Traditional Area of the Eastern Region has called on Krobo appointees serving in the current government to champion an investigation into the factors that contributed to the impasse between the Krobo people and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), which led to weeks of power outages in the area.
The prolonged dispute, which spanned from 2017 to 2022, arose from incidents of overbilling and estimated billing practices. It escalated into violent clashes involving police and military personnel, resulting in one death and several injuries.
During a campaign visit to the area ahead of last year’s general elections, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, gave strong indications that a future NDC government would investigate the impasse between the Krobo people and the power distributors.
Speaking in an interview with GhanaWeb, Nene Olepeme Sakinor Nanor I said that ECG staff who supervised the disturbances should be investigated by a committee established by the government.
“The government should institute a committee to properly investigate employees of the ECG. They dealt badly with us, and many people suffered injuries. All these ought to be investigated to determine the root causes,” the traditional leader stated.
He added: “If the people are to blame, let us know so we won’t repeat the wrong. If it’s the ECG, we need to know.”
Other appeals
Nene Sakinor made the call while congratulating the six appointees from Yilo Krobo and Lower Manya Krobo appointed by President John Mahama to serve in his government and as heads of key institutions.
They include Mr. Seth Terkper, Policy Advisor to the President; Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, Deputy Interior Minister; COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno, Inspector General of Police; Mrs. Rita Akosua Awatey, Eastern Regional Minister; Gideon Aryeequaye, Acting Executive Secretary of the Creative Arts Agency; and Nathaniel Tetteh, Director of the National Service Authority – Eastern Region.
The chief urged the appointees to eschew arrogance and work hard to justify the confidence reposed in them by the President.
He also called on them to address various chieftaincy disputes in the Krobo area, stating, “We have problems with chieftaincy in Krobo, and this stalls development. They should use the opportunities given to them to address these problems so that the chiefs can partner with them to develop our communities.”
Further, he urged the appointees to take steps to resolve land litigation issues, which he said have deterred investors from the area. He proposed the establishment of a committee to probe all land-related disputes, stressing that resolving these challenges would encourage the setting up of private businesses to create employment opportunities for the youth.
On the issue of spatial planning, Nene Sakinor called on the Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Awatey, incoming MDCEs, and the town planning departments to ensure proper layouts for communities to allow easier access and organized development.
He also bemoaned the persistent water challenges confronting the people and tasked the appointees to outline measures to ensure regular water supply to the community.
Nene Sakinor pledged his full support to the appointees to help them succeed in their new roles.
Finally, the chief expressed the gratitude of the Krobo people to President John Mahama on his election as the 6th President of the Republic of Ghana, and for appointing five sons and a daughter of Krobo land into high offices to serve the nation.
The Krobo constituencies — Yilo Krobo, Lower Manya Krobo, and Upper Manya Krobo — have traditionally been strongholds of the NDC, with the party recording overwhelming victories in recent polls.
Although the area has seen political appointments under previous governments, the traditional leaders expressed excitement over the number and caliber of recent appointments.
