Chiefs in the Volta Region have expressed gratitude to President Akufo-Addo for hosting this year’s Independence Day anniversary in the region, specifically Adaklu.
They believe it has not only exposed the region and Adaklu to the rest of the world but provided it the needed platform to market itself.
This was when they called on him at the Jubilee House yesterday to thank him for granting them the opportunity to host Ghana’s 66th independence anniversary.
The independence anniversary celebration has so far been described by many as one of the best ever to be hosted outside the capital Accra, an initiative of President Akufo-Addo since he became President in 2017.
Togbe Tepre Hodo, Paramount Chief of Anfoega Traditional Area in the North Dayi District who is also the President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, who led the delegation to the presidency, could not hide his excitement at the opportunity.
That, he said, was because it has deepened the region’s sense of relevance in the country as a whole.
“It was indeed a momentous occasion as it gave us the opportunity to see at first hand the parade of our security services and indeed, in line with the theme of the celebration which emphasised unity,” Togbe Tepre Hodo said, adding that “it was a joy to see the various cultural displays from all other regions of Ghana.”
He, therefore, stated “we are extremely grateful for the honour that was done to our region.”
He expressed hope that the inclusiveness that has been emphasised by this year’s celebration will be carried further for the good of the country.
Togbe Tepre Hodo also took the opportunity appeal to 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.
Government broke grounds for the construction of the 5,000 Volta Regional Youth Resource Centre at Adaklu 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 the ten Youth Resource Centre projects under construction nationwide.
Meanwhile, work has resumed on the project.
The chief therefore prayed it will be completed on time to serve its intended purpose.
President Akufo-Addo expressed in the chiefs decision to show gratitude even though he said the region and area deserved it.
“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, adding “all segments of the population should feel the presence of Ghana, especially on this critical day of our independence celebration.”
He thus noted that “to hear this very distinguished President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs identifying that as the main or key takeaway is very refreshing and encouraging to me.”
On the issue about the Youth Resource Centre project at Adaklu in the Volta Region, President Akufo-Addo expressed delight construction works has resumed even though he said the current financial constraints is making it difficult to continue several projects across the country.
That notwithstanding, the President said his government is committed to complete ongoing negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as soon as practicable to pave way for work to resume on some of these stalled projects.
“It is our determination to do so. We don’t want to leave office with several projects still standing. The ones that I am committed to doing, we will make sure that they are done,” were his reassuring words.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu