President Nana Akufo Addo says, “He has made no attempt to conceal my determination to entice the people of the Volta Region to join my political party, the NPP.” The fact that I have not yet succeeded does not indicate that I will abandon my attempts. “I am convinced that the NPP should be the natural home for the people of the Volta Region, and this is based not only on ideological grounds but also on historical ones.”

These are the comments of the President of the Republic, Nana Akufo-Addo, revealing his unwavering determination to woo the people of the Volta region in favor of the New Patriotic Party in order to reverse the party’s election fortunes in the region.

Addressing the Chiefs and people of Anlo at a grand durbar to mark the 2023 edition of the popular Hogbetsotso festival on Saturday, November 4th, 2023, at Anloga in the Volta region, President Akufo-Addo shared these words in response to the deliberate misrepresentation of some innocent comments made during his visit to the flood area in Mepe.

The President praised Mepe’s Queenmother, Mamaga Adzo Srako IV, for her strong defense of the statements, saying, “I live in active hope that I will see the reversal of the NPP’s fortunes in the Volta Region in my lifetime.”

As inspiration, he cited historical, ideological, and a slew of significant development initiatives undertaken by succeeding NPP governments in the region.

“In 1960, Dr. JB Danquah ran on the ticket of the UP, the NPP’s predecessor party, to challenge Dr. Kwame Nkrumah of the CPP for the presidency of the new Republic.” Dr Danquah won decisively here in Anlo and in Ho West in that election, despite losing nationally.”

He continued, “Until that day comes when the Volta Region returns home to its proper political roots, I shall continue to try to woo it, and you must all, in the meantime, overlook the apparent controversies of a yet-to-be successful suitor,” who lives in active hope of seeing the NPP perform well at the polls in the region.

To that end, he praised Togbui Sri III for “recognizing the infrastructural developments that my government has brought to this area.” I am especially looking forward to the completion of the Agenda 111 hospital in Agordzoe and my ability to commission it before I leave office,” as well as the “TVET structures that will meet the needs of the community by providing skill training for our young people.”

“Much as we note what needs to be done, we should also not forget that my government has constructed 432 kilometers of roads in the Volta Region, an unprecedented achievement,” he continued in reference to the infrastructure of roadways.

“The accomplishments we have made, and the challenges we face, are testaments to our shared commitment to a better future for the people of Anlo and all Ghanaians,” stated President Akufo-Addo in closing. Let’s honor our history, preserve the environment, and cooperate to make sure that future generations have a better and more sustainable future as we commemorate this festival.

Commending the best of the Ghanaian spirit, in reference to the collaborative efforts of state agencies, the private sector and individuals towards containing the impact of the floods, he said, “the Inter-Ministerial Committee, which I formed, the Regional Administrations, the District Assemblies, State Agencies like VRA, NADMO, the Health Service, the Military, and the Police have all been working together to resolve the crisis. I know that we do not often think of the possibility of the structures of government working, but we should. I pay homage to the many, many private sector and ordinary citizens who made donations and offers of help in various ways.”