The Bono Regional Minister, Hon. Joseph Addai Akwakora has cautioned private developers interested in investing in the Sunyani Children’s Park to seek approval from the Bono Regional Coordinating Council, noting that the park remains government land and no private individual has the sole right to develop it.
During his visit to the park with the Sunyani MCE and the Department of Parks and Gardens on Tuesday, the Minister aimed to gather first-hand information on the ongoing redevelopment and investigate further.
The Sunyani Manhene has been actively involved in the new redevelopment, following his frequent visits to the facility, which had been overgrown with weeds and infested with harmful animals but has since been cleared under his authority.
As part of the reviving plans, the Park is set to host an event themed “Ogyeamansan Party in the Park” over the weekend under the auspices of the Manhene.
However, the Regional Minister, Lawyer Joseph Addai Akwaboa, claims the new private investor behind the current renovation is unknown to him and has called for an immediate halt to all activities on the said land.
In a media interview at the park, the Minister assured residents of the Bono Region of his commitment, on behalf of the President, to protect government properties, including state lands.
He revealed to Kaakyire Kwasi Afari of Sunyani-based Ark FM that the Sunyani Children’s Park remains a priority for significant redevelopment as part of the NDC government’s reset agenda.
However, he expressed shock at the rapid rate of redevelopment without the consent of the RCC, Sunyani Municipal Assembly, and the Department of Parks and Gardens.
Unhappy with the unauthorized cutting down of trees by unknown individuals, he cautioned such developer to halt all activities or risk arrest.
The Municipal Director for Parks and Gardens, Afia Agyemang Suadwah, also narrated that the facility remains in their custody and care, expressing displeasure over the developments that have occurred without their oversight.
Recounting the department’s challenges, Afia Suadwah highlighted the lack of fuel for weeding, and a staff deficit hinders their ability to fully maintain the children’s park.
However, she noted that following the change of government, the current Regional Minister, Joseph Addai Akwaboa, has engaged the regional department of Parks and Gardens to discuss redevelopment plans, aiming to enable the municipal assembly to generate revenue.
On his part, the Municipal Chief Executive for Sunyani East, Hon. Vincent Antwi Agyei emphasized that the Department of Parks and Gardens is responsible and mandated to develop the area, a responsibility it has held for years, and was shocked at the new twist.
Reacting to the challenges faced by Parks and Gardens, the MCE assured that he would address them, enabling the department to perform its duties effectively.
In a related development, the Omanhene of Sunyani Traditional Area, Odeefour Ogyeamansan Boahen Korkor II, inspected the ongoing work at the Sunyani Children’s Park on Tuesday, coinciding with the minister’s visit.
Addressing the minister and his entourage, the Omanhene expressing concerns, he noted that the land had shrunk from 24 acres to 18 acres due to encroachment, which he blamed on the reluctance of some political actors to protect the facility.
The Sunyani Manhene also addressed claims of politicians allegedly purchasing the facility, emphasizing that they must provide proof to validate their claims.
Appreciating the collaborative efforts, Odeefour Ogyeamansan Boahen Korkor II thanked the Sunyani Municipal Chief Executive for providing dustbins and praised the continued partnership since the traditional council began the redevelopment project.
The Paramount Chief reaffirmed that the Sunyani Children’s Park remains a property of the Sunyani Municipal Assembly and the Traditional Council.
Source: Kaakyire Kwasi Afari. Ark FM, Sunyani