Dan Botwe , Minister -Designate for Local Government and Rural Development has denied claims suggesting he worked to disenfranchise the people of Santrokofi, Akpafu, Lolobi and Likpe (SALL) in the Oti Region.
Answering questions during his vetting on Monday, said the allegations is baseless.
“The said such allegations were “coming out from a deep misunderstanding or have no basis at all.” He said.
He added “It is never true that people from the Akpafu and Lolobi areas were not interested in being part of the Oti Region and were forced. It is totally untrue. Nothing supports that assertion.”
According to Dan Botwe , the complaints surrounding the issue should have been directed at that Commission of Inquiry that oversaw the new regions’ referendum.
“As soon as a Commission of Inquiry was established, the ministry didn’t determine those who will be part of the new regions or will not be part. The ministry doesn’t determine where the referendum will take place. It is the Commission.”
A joint committee from Akpafu and Lolobi Traditional Areas has petitioned the Appointments Committee of Parliament to reject Daniel Botwe’s appointment to head the Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development Ministry.
The joint committee, in a statement, blamed Mr Botwe for his significant role in the removal of Lolobi and Akpafu from the Hohoe Municipality despite their objection.
Dan Botwe’s now-defunct Ministry was created mainly to create six new regions, which they did.
