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The Sunyani Youth Development Association (SYDA) and some indigenous stakeholders of Sunyani have threatened to embark on a massive demonstration to register their displeasure on the slow pace of development in the Bono Regional Capital.
This was in a “REQUEST FOR POLICE ESCORT” letter available to this writer on Thursday.
According to the letter, the ‘Peaceful Civil Demonstration’ organized by some indigenous stakeholders and the SYDA is slated on Friday, December 10, 2021, at exactly 8 am on the Principal Streets Of Sunyani.
The demonstration “seeks to drum in our incessant request through advocacies, press releases and other engagements that have fallen on deaf ears of those in authority”, the letter stated.
But, investigations conducted by this writer indicated that the demonstration was ignited by the Finance Minister, Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta’s announcement last Wednesday that Sunyani Coronation Park would be rehabilitated and given Face-lift in the 2022 budget presentation.
The Finance Minister said, “In 2022, the government will continue with the construction of the Abiriw and the New Edubiase sports stadium, as well as commence the rehabilitation of the Sunyani coronation park”.
This, according to Chiefs, football lovers, opinion leaders, business men and women, petty traders, commercial drivers and many others in Sunyani did not go well for them, hence, kicked against the rehabilitation announcement, demanding a FIFA standard Sports Stadium.
According to them, “the people of Sunyani had always been treated like second class citizens of Ghana” when it comes to the sharing of the national cake which as a result making Sunyani’s holistic development move at a ‘snail-pace’.
This is because they felt successive governments have totally failed to honour their promises made to the people of Sunyani for decades, therefore, planning the demonstration to loudly voice out their displeasure.
They said Sunyani have produced numerous footballers for the National Team (Ghana Black Stars) and still producing more better players and talents in the entire sporting disciplines for the nation.
Why is it that the only thing governments could do for us is to rehabilitate Coronation Park? A retired footballers’ association member quizzed and cited “Ibrahim Danlaad from Sunyani Zongo is currently the number goal keeper in the whole of Africa even if nothing at all”.
In further interviews conducted in the Central Business District of Sunyani, some football Managers and Club CEOs, ice water and fan yoghurt sellers, chewing gum sellers, pawpaw sellers and some others who spoke to this writer stated they are “more than prepared to join the demonstration”.
Mama Kyeremaa, a roasted plantain seller explained that anytime there is a football match in Sunyani, her sales increases more than expected, therefore, “that stadium agenda is in the right direction”.
A fried yam seller who spoke anonymously said it is long overdue we have to speak as one people in Sunyani because they have cheated us for so long, why?
Read The Police Escort Request Letter below:
The Regional Commander Ghana Police Service Sunyani
Dear Sir, REQUEST FOR POLICE ESCORT TO EMBARK ON A CIVIL DEMONSTRATION
We would be grateful if you could grant our request above to enable the people of Sunyani embark on a peaceful civil demonstration to register our displeasure on slow pace of development in the Bono Regional Capital.
This demonstration being organized by some indigenous stakeholders and the Sunyani Youth Development Association seeks to drum in our incessant request through advocacies, press releases and other engagements that have fallen on deaf ears of those in authority.
Date: 10th December, 2021
Time: 8:00am
Route: Starts from Victoria Park through the principal streets to Regional House of Chiefs and ends at the coronation park.
Expected no: More than One Thousand (1,000) people.
This civil demonstration is non-partisan but a purely development oriented exercise by the people of Sunyani.
We thank you in advance as we anticipate your positive response.
Yours faithfully,………………….
For enquires, contact: 0543986402 /0242366505
Cc:
The President, Bono Regional House of Chiefs.
The President, Sunyani Traditional Council.
The Regional Minister, Bono Region.
The Municipal Chief Executive, Sunyani Municipal.
The Regional Commander, National Investigations Bureau (NIB).
The Divisional Commander, Ghana Police Service, Sunyani.
The District Commander, Ghana Police Service, Sunyani.
Sunyani Stakeholders for development.
Sunyani for Development.
Sunyani Concern Youth.
The Bono Regional Command Ghana National Fire Service.
The Sunyani Municipal Command Ghana National Fire Service.
