Akufo-Addo upgrades Techiman to metropolitan status

President Nana Akufo-Addo has granted executive approval for the Techiman municipality in the Bono East Region to be upgraded to metropolitan status. 

This landmark decision aligns with Act 936, which governs local government structures in Ghana, and comes in response to a request from the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development (MLGDRD).

Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah, the sector minister and MP for Techiman South, shared the news in an interview with Asaase News. 

He revealed that alongside Techiman’s elevation, the Kpone Katamanso and Gomoa East municipalities have also been upgraded to metropolitan status, with 12 additional districts receiving a boost to municipal status.

According to Korsah, this reclassification promises a new era of accelerated development for Techiman. 

“Techiman now has the same status as Accra and Kumasi,” he said, emphasising the significance of this move. “The government will now include Techiman in all its developmental policies for metropolitan areas.”

He added that the change would pave the way for large-scale infrastructure and business projects similar to those in Ghana’s major cities. 

“Very soon, the people of Techiman will begin to witness big infrastructural and business development as being provided in Accra and Kumasi by the government,” Korsah emphasised.

The news has been warmly received by local authorities. The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Techiman, Benjamin Yaw Gyarko, expressed his excitement, calling it a significant milestone for the region.

“Since it is an elevation of our status, it is good news for us,” Gyarko said. “It comes with its associated benefits and development. The Nananom and people of Techiman are very grateful to the president.”

Gyarko highlighted that the timing of this upgrade could not be better given Techiman’s rapid population growth. 

“Techiman is a cosmopolitan area because of it’s strategic location in the middle of the country as well as it’s huge market; a lot of people from far and near,” he explained. “causing a quick surge in its population.”

With its current population exceeding 240,000 and projections suggesting it could reach 300,000 by 2025, Techiman is poised for a transformation. 

Already serving as the regional capital of Bono East, the area is renowned for hosting the largest traditional market in West Africa, covering an expanse of 647.6 square kilometres.

The upgrade does not stop with Techiman. Several district assemblies have also been elevated to municipal status. These include Techiman North, Bole, Obuasi East, and Afigya Kwabre South districts. 

Others such as Atwima Kwanwoma North, Sekyere South, Ningo Prampram, and Pru East join the list, alongside Shama, South Tongu, and Anloga districts.

However, proposals to upgrade Ho Municipality to metropolitan status, as well as Offinso North and Birim North to municipalities, remain under review.

Reporting by Dauda Zul-Kiful in the Bono East Region

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