Govt to undertake development throughout country

Ve-Golokuati, (V/R), Nov.30, GNA - The Volta Regional Minister, Mr Kwasi Owusu-Yeboa on Saturday said the government would undertake and promote development throughout the country in fulfilment of its campaign promises.

He was addressing a durbar of Chiefs and people of the Ve traditional area to climax their Lukusi festival at Golokuati under the theme: "Saving our community from HIV/AIDS."

The festival is celebrated every year to remind the people of their escape from the tyrannical rule of King Agorkorli of Nortsie in the 17 century.

Mr. Owusu-Yeboa said the resurfacing of the Kpeve-Have-Golokuati motor road was on course, while contract has been awarded for the re-surfacing of the Golokuati to Hohoe and Hohoe to Jasikan portions.

He observed that, "unlike some traditional areas in the Region, the Ve traditional area seems to be free from major land and chieftaincy disputes," and urged them to work hard to sustain peace and order.

Mr Owuwu-Yeboa said HIV/AIDS poses a serious threat to the survival of the country, which required individual and collective efforts to stem it. He called for an end to beliefs, practices, attitudes and habits such as unregulated polygamy, pre-marital and extra-marital sex which have been identified as the major ways of transmitting the virus.

Mr Owusu-Yeboa entreated Chiefs and opinion leaders in the region to join the campaign against the pandemic.

Togbega Delume VII, Paramount Chief of the traditional area said the theme was chosen for the celebration to remind the people of the dangers of the disease and the need to fight its spread.

He observed that HIV/AIDS would decimate the labour force if Chiefs and leaders in the area do not act to save the community against the menace. Togbega Delume said through special contributions and communal labour the people, mainly farmers were able to facilitate their connection to the national electricity grid, built school blocks and purchased computers for the Ve Community Secondary School.

He appealed to government to construct durable and safe stalls and stores for the Ve-Koloenu market to promote trading activities of the people. A total of 21 million cedis was raised to support the Ve Educational Endowment Fund, which is currently supporting 25 brilliant but needy students.