Wa residents hail new street names 


Residents of Wa in the Upper West Region have hailed the unveiling of the names of fifty-four streets in the regional capital by the Wa Municipal Assembly.

They believe the exercise has corrected some historical injustices which saw certain individuals who needed to be recognized because of contributions they made to the development of the region being ignored for far too long.

Some of them, in fact, expressed disappointment at the streets named after certain individuals.

In an interview with Joy FM some residents said they were unhappy that a more prominent street has not been named after former Head of State, Ignatius Kutu Acheampong.

They insisted late Gen. Acheampong did more for the region and certainly deserved better.

Historian, Kankuunbata Wianuo Nicholas Kpankpari said the Upper West, as an administrative region, was created by the former head of state Ignatius Kutu Acheampong and not former president Jerry John Rawlings as is widely speculated.

He said Mr Acheampong did the initial work by building the regional administration, Catering Rest House, Low Cost Houses and several important projects dotted across the length and breadth of the then North-West.

''Rawlings didn't initiate anything, he didn't receive any petition from the people and neither did he set up any commission. He only came out with the announcement of the creation when the groundwork already was prepared by Acheampong,” he said.

Mr. Kpankpari said, “The man deserves better treatment and I think he is being treated this way because of the fear of Rawlings. I may not live long to see but I believe one day, people will sing the name of Acheampong in this region as there are doing to Nkrumah.''

The historian said even though IK Acheampong was executed by firing squad, he should be treated with the respect he deserves.

"Even Guy Fawkes who attempted to burn parliament house in London has a statue stationed in one of the important places in London. I think we should find a better place to name after him than that hidden corner in town,'' he added.

Comparing the work of former president Dr. Hilla Limann and Kutu Acheampong, the learned, soft spoken historian believes that the latter did better and should have taken the place of Dr. Limann.

Former assemblyman of Dobile where the Acheampong Street is located, Osman Sakyi, however, expressed joy over the decision to name a street in his electoral area after the former military leader.

''I am really happy that a street is named after him here because he was instrumental in the construction of the Low Cost Houses and that alone qualifies him to be recognised. But there are other projects that he did which are of greater importance and they should should have been named after him.

“Somebody who has sacrificed for your community or your religion, the person should be honoured. Yes, Dr. Limann was a former president and our own, but I think, ethnicity, religion and politics aside, Acheampong did a lot more for the region than Limann,” he stressed.  

A tea seller who gave his name only as Abdul Rashid questions the work of the committee that named the streets in Wa. “As for the naming of the streets, it is a great project, but my problem is who to place where.

''Is that what Acheampong deserves after working hard to put the structures of the regional administration, Catering Rest House, stadia and low-cost houses in place. How can you name a ceremonial road after President Rawlings and go and hide Acheampong around some corner street, it is unfair,” he stated.

A larger majority of people in the municipality have lauded the street naming even if they are yet to become familiar with the names.

Municipal Chief Executive for Wa Issahaku Nuhu Putiaha expressed surprise about the arguments being made but said that was to be expected.

He expressed confidence that people will come to accept the names and it will enhance movement and business in the Wa Municipality.

Meanwhile, all district capitals in the Great Accra and Ashanti Regional capitals, have attained 100%  completion in the street identification and naming exercise.

District capitals in the Eastern and Western region are at 95% completion while those in the Central, Volta and Brong Ahafo regions are at 90%.

The Upper East and Northern region tie at 70 percent while the Upper West is at 60%.

SOURCE: Joyfmonline