Mepe (VR), Aug. 2, GNA - In a rebuttal to critics that the ruling government has let down the electorate, Vice President John Mahama on Saturday assured Ghanaians that the Mills' administration would not disappoint, more so when the populace holds it as a higher standard than its opponents.

"We will never let you down", assured the Vice President, adding that pledges made during the party's 2008 campaign to improve the living standards of the people will be honoured in view of the high regard the electorate have in the National Democratic Congress to change Ghana into a modern state where social justice truly reins.

Addressing a grand durbar of the people of Mepe to round off their 55th Apenorto festival, Vice President said the NDC is determined to exceed far beyond the expectations of its critics. He commended the people of Mepe for their role in the NDC's success at the polls, urging them to continue supporting the government, as efforts were being made to tackle the dearth of development challenges in the area.

"It is not by our might but your votes that is why we are in power and on this basis we will never let you down", said the Vice President. He said the government was aware that it assumed power on the specific mandate of the people to transform Ghana into a more caring society and as such, the Mills' administration would discharge its job with devotion so as to justify the confidence the people reposed in them. He said the high expectations that the populace have of the government was due to the fact "they hold the National Democratic Congress to a higher standard than their political opponents". But at the same, he told them to have some patience with the government as it restructures the ailing economy so as to put it on a path of growth for the expected dividends to be realized. He said some initiatives have been undertaken to put the economy on a sound footing, adding that while some challenges remained, the most critical steps have been initiated to deploy NDC's social development agenda to the people.

Referring to the Mepe Traditional area, Vice President Mahama assured them that the poor road network, lack of portable water, and the lack of electricity in some communities would be undertaken within the term of office of the government. He entreated the Traditional Council to find a suitable replacement for the late Paramount Chief of the area, Torgbega Yao Anipati who died some years back so as to preserve the peace and cohesion of the area.

Mr Joe Gidisu, Minister of Roads and Highways, thanked the people for keeping faith with the NDC even when the party was in its deepest throes, assuring that a road sector development plan has been devised to put bad roads in the areas into shape. He said as part of this plan, the Juapong-Adidome feeder road would be upgraded into a highway while the Mepe Dove Junction road would also receive critical attention, among other road projects.

Torgbe Dapaah, a spokesperson for the Traditional Council said the Mepe people have played a critical role in geo-political development of the country for which they should not be sidelined, regardless of which government is in power. He was unhappy about the pace of development in the area, citing the deplorable road network and the lack of suitable accommodation for the security agencies, who protect their businesses from armed robbery in the area.

The Apenorto festival was first instituted as a "rest fiesta" for the highly mobile people to enable them to return home from their fishing, farming and trade expeditions in other parts of the country and get some rest from their rigorous labour. In modern times however, it has been re-branded as an event for development and introspection that allows the people to plot the economic expansion of the area while preserving its cultural heritage. Saturday's celebration witnessed some pomp and pageantry by the five clan divisions of the area.