Atta Mills given a rousing welcome to Ho

Ho, March 13, GNA - Professor John Evans Atta Mills Presidential Candidate of National Democratic Congress (NDC) arrived to a rousing welcome in Ho on Wednesday.

Hundreds of party supporters met his entourage at the PWD area with brass band music and were joined by a large crowd as he drove to the Asogli Palace at Bankoe acknowledging the cheers of both young and old who lined up at the main street.

As information of his arrival spread through town many more people headed for the Asogli Palace compelling the police to stop vehicles in that vicinity to allow safe passage for the crowd, as people rushed for the palace unmindful of the vehicular traffic.

The main arena of the palace was filled with lots of people who squeezed themselves into every available space some standing on walls and balconies of adjoining houses with others finding standing room along the street adjacent to the palace.

Professor Mills' arrival at the palace was greeted with loud deafening cheers amidst the beating of talking drums. The atmosphere was further enhanced by a breezy and cool weather following a drizzle that persisted throughout late afternoon and the evening.

Togbe Dadzawa III, Fiaga of Shia Traditional Area on behalf of the Asogli Traditional Council said the traditional area was home to all political parties and their Presidential Candidates, adding: "Nobody knows the future".

Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia observed that Ghana was blessed, "we have our fair share of natural resources and a peace-loving people. But peace, unity and development would prove illusive unless we insist on the right kind of leadership. The speed of the leader, they say, determines the rate of the pack".

He said human progress had depended on diversity of ideas, opinions and to desire that all think alike was to wish away an essential fact of life.

"Embracing peace and every behaviour and action that promotes peace is the prudent option," Agbogbomefia added. Seemingly overwhelmed by the reception accorded him, Professor Mills said "I would have made the Agbogbomefia my running mate but for his present status".

"I have only come to show myself to you that I am alive God's time is the best," Professor Mills said. He commended the police for the professional manner in which they handled security arrangements in town during his visit. Professor Mills promised to establish a University of Medical and Health Sciences in the Volta Region when elected President during the 2008 elections.

He said his government would also reactivate the exploration for gas and crude oil in the Atiavi and Anloga area, promote bamboo cultivation and its related industries in the region. Professor Mills urged Ghanaians to have hope in the NDC to improve their living standards.

He was mobbed at a rally held in the evening at Anlokordzi. Mr Modestus Ahiable, Volta Regional Chairman of the Party sent the crowd into frenzy when he sang a local song to the effect that a wise person did not denounce his or her mother no matter how poor or wretched she might be.

Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, National Organizer of the Party observed that the tumultuous reception accorded Professor Mills was a reassurance for the Party that it could count on the unflinching support of the people of the Volta Region in this year's general elections.