In the midst of economic challenges, which critics of the government want the world to believe are dwindling the fortunes of the National Democratic Congress in the Ashanti Region, the traditional stronghold of the opposition New Patriotic Party has suggested otherwise.

Asanteman has in an unequivocal statement renewed their strong support for John Dramani Mahama at a function held by the whole traditional council to welcome him.

The Offinsohene, Nana Wiafe Akenten III, who spoke on behalf of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, last Saturday, said they would continue to support the President to deliver and enter the next elections.

He was in the region on a working visit.

President Mahama, who was accompanied by the Ashanti Regional Minister, Samuel Sarpong, thanked the chiefs for their support.

Mr. Mahama said, despite the economic challenges, development projects are going on irrespective of what critics may want Ghanaians to believe.

In the Ashanti Region, for example, he said the Manhyia Clinic will be rehabilitated to serve the health needs of the people.

He said the construction of the new military hospital in Kumasi is one other example, adding that the second National Theater, apart from the one in Accra, would be constructed in the region.

For President Mahama, too much negative tendencies are being displayed when there are various development projects going on in the region.

He explained that a recent trip he made to Brazil was to among others get investors to develop the Kumasi Central Market into the most beautiful and well designed market in the West African sub-region.

Other developments have been chalked in the area of water, he pointed out; saying “the national coverage was 40%, but has increased to 65%.”

He said 900 communities are being connected to the national grid to bring it to a total 80% of the national rural electrification.

President Mahama inspected the 8 kilometer Breman UGC road, which links Mampong and Offinso and also the Suame Magazine industrial area.

The road, which is located in the Suame constituency, cost GHc7.2 million and was built by Kofi Job, a local contractor.

While in the region, the President inspected work on the Enyinase Sekyere Odumase road, which is 11.3 kilometers and later did a symbolic commissioning of a rural electrification project at Franti Apram in Ejura Sekyere Odumase to serve 54 communities.

On Friday, when he arrived in the region, the President was met with an uncontrollable excitement from supporters in the region.

For them, whether there are hardships or not they are not listening to anybody who wishes to disrupt them and their support for the President.

Giving an apparent meaning to ‘Yen-Tie- Obiaa,' the title of the new hit of Daddy Lumba, the people danced their heart out to the admiration of the President.

The show of support for the President sparked another image of what the National Democratic Congress will perform in the next general elections, as it has been increasing its fortunes in the region over election years.