Minister asks Volta Region to open up

Ho, Nov. 19, GNA - The Volta Region risked "political isolation" unless it opened up to other political parties other than the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Kwasi Owusu-Yeboa, Volta Regional Minister said on Wednesday.

He said the attitude of acknowledging the good works of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government and yet refusing to appreciate its efforts smacks of prejudice and not healthy.

Mr Owusu-Yeboa made this observation when a delegation of Chiefs and Assembly Members of communities along the twelve-kilometre Matse-Klave area met him on the poor nature of the road.

He said governments were there to cater for the interest of everybody and should be opened to all, irrespective of ethnic or religion.

Mr Owusu-Yeboa said the government had proved that it represented all, including those in the Volta Region and had shown that by carrying out many developing projects.

He challenged people in the region to search their hearts, focus their minds on the performance of the government and fight off vile propaganda that divides the nation.

Mr Owusu-Yeboa said the region had the best chance to exhibit to the rest of the country, unity in diversity, by harnessing the strong aspects in the multiple cultures within the region for development.

The Minister regretted that during the last elections, chiefs in the region openly canvassed for some political parties but "they tripped and fell breaking all their eggs in one basket".

The delegation, led by Togbe Kwasi Agama, Stool Father of Hoe, wanted government to repair the rocky feeder road which is in a deplorable state.

He said the road, which carried 70 percent of foodstuffs sold at the Ho-Central market, must be realigned to avoid dangerous ravine.

Alhaji Muctar Musah Bamba, Deputy Minister at the Office of the President wondered why people held on to political parties with religious fervour when there was evidence that such parties did little to improve their conditions when they were in power.

He said the NPP had sourced money to ensure the completion of the Keta Sea Defence Project where the agricultural and housing components had started.

Alhaji Bamba said the Ketu District alone had benefited from 88 projects within three years of the present government.

Both Ministers, however pledged to work assiduously to have the road repaired to ensure free flow of foodstuff to the marketing centres.