Reconciliation is necessary for peace and development - Kufuor

Ho (Volta Region) -- President John Agyekum Kufuor on Friday said reconciliation is necessary for the maintenance of peace and promotion of national development.

He said his visit to the Volta Region was in the spirit of reconciliation because the region has not been known to be receptive to the NPP in terms of politics. "I as leader of NPP and President of Ghana, want to say that what has divided the party from the region has been more of suspicion and fear but not of any substance," he added.

He told a grand durbar of the chiefs and people of the Asogli Traditional Area at Ho, on the second day of his three-day tour of the Volta Region.

He pledged that the government would work to eradicate the suspicion and fear from the society in order that the region and the party would get reconciled with each other.

President Kufuor appealed to the people to support and co-operate with the government to yield positive relationship for the region and NPP. "I feel the appeal for reconciliation is not one-sided because with your cheerful faces and the massive attendance at the durbars so far would be for our mutual benefit," he added.

President Kufuor said under the government's all-inclusive policy, the Volta Region is well represented with some dedicated and competent personalities. "It is our policy not to discriminate in the service of the nation and the Volta Region would get its fair share of national development," he added.

President Kufuor announced that the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) would make efforts on the possibility of Ho being made a municipality instead of a separate district from the existing one.

On-going development projects in the region would be pursued, road network improved and water supply system improved, he said.

Togbe Kasa III, Senior Divisional Chief of Ho, on behalf of the Fiaga of Asogli Traditional Area said President Kufuor's visit has made the people more united than before.

He appealed for the establishment of an agro-industry in the area to create job opportunities and generate income for the people.

Togbe Kasa appealed to government to include the area, which produces various varieties of cassava in the President's Special Initiative on the Cassava-Starch Project and more financial assistance to women in the area.

He called for assistance to improve the road network, improved water supply and a separate district for Ho because of the increase in population in the area.