The chiefs and elders of the Volta Region have described as an inclusive step the government’s decision to select the Volta Region as the host of the 66th Independence Day celebration.
The paramount chief of Anfoega Traditional Area, in the North Dayi District, and President of the Volta Region House of Chiefs, Togbe Tepre Hodo, said the granting of the hosting rights to the region had deepened the region’s sense of relevance in the country as a whole.
“It was indeed a momentous occasion as it allowed us to see at first hand the parade of our security services. Indeed, in line with the theme of the celebration, which emphasized unity, it was a joy to see the various cultural displays from all other regions of Ghana,” Togbe Tepre Hodo said.
He said traditional rulers representing the communities are extremely grateful for the honour that was done to the region, adding that it is the hope and expectation of community leaders that the spirit of inclusiveness cemented by the celebration would be carried further in impacting other communities for the good of the country.
Togbe Tepre Hodo said this when he led a delegation of Volta chiefs to pay a courtesy call on President Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House yesterday.
Youth resource centre
In his address, Togbe Tepre Hodo called on the government to ensure that it completes the ongoing construction of the Volta Regional Youth Resource Centre in Adaklu Tsrefe in the Adaklu District of the Volta Region.
The government broke grounds for the construction of the 5,000-capacity Volta Regional Youth Resource Centre in March 2018, alongside nine others across the country.
Construction works on the multipurpose sporting facility stalled for about two years due to the government’s directive to put on hold five out of 10 of the Youth Resource Centre projects under construction nationwide.
“I will like to make a special appeal to Mr. President about the completion of the centre. I have just been informed that work has resumed, and that is very encouraging,” Togbe Tepre Hodo pointed out.
He hoped and prayed that the project would see early completion in serving its purpose for the good of our region and, indeed, for the good of Ghana.
Every part matters
President Akufo-Addo welcomed the delegation from the Volta Region to his office, noting that the decision to celebrate the 66th Independence Day anniversary in the Volta Region was intended to affirm strongly government’s commitment to inclusiveness as a key ingredient for his administration.
“I began this process of rotating the Independence Day celebration, specifically, for that reason, to be able to make it clear to our people that each part of the Ghana fabric is part of the nation-state, Ghana,” he said.
He reiterated that all segments of the population should feel the presence of Ghana, especially on that critical day of the Independence Day celebration.
“So, to hear this very distinguished President of the Volta Region House of Chiefs identifying that as the main or key takeaway is very refreshing and encouraging to me,” President Akufo-Addo said.
Stalled projects
Commenting on the youth resource centre currently under construction in the Volta Region, President Akufo-Addo said he was happy that the construction works had resumed. He added that the current worry over financial constraints makes it obviously difficult to continue several projects in the country at the same time.
He however said his administration still remains committed to completing ongoing negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as soon as practicable, to pave way for several stalled projects to resume and be completed.
“It is our determination to do so…We don’t want to leave office with several projects still outstanding. The ones that I am committed to doing, we will make sure that they are done,” President Akufo-Addo said.
About The Author
