Bolgatanga, capital of the Upper East Region, exuded warmth and excitement as President John Atta Mills entered the Region for a two day visit.

After a ride through town, President Atta Mills was officially welcomed to the Region by the Regional Minister, Mr. Mark Woyongo, on behalf of the Region, welcomed President Mills.

At the Regional Administration, President Mills took the National Salute and inspected a Guard of Honour by a detachment of the Ghana Police Service.

Presenting the President with a Situation Report, the Regional Minster spoke to a number of issues including, the rampant smuggling of fuel from the region to neigbouring countries, the lack of medical personnel, the worrying water situation,

On the issue of health personnel, the Regional Minister appealed to the President to support the health needs of the Region as the doctor/patient ratio is extremely precarious.

In response, President Atta Mills reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to paying special attention to health workers who opt to work in challenged areas of the country.

The President commended the Regional Security Council for clamping down on persons who smuggle petroleum products out of the country and pledged the support of Central Government to further weed out saboteurs of the economy.

Having been apprised of the goings-on in the Region, President Atta Mills paid a courtesy call on the Bolga Naaba, Martin Abilba II.

The Traditional Head congratulated the President on his victory, thanked God for his mercies, and lauded the President for his governance style.

According to the Bolga Naaba, President Mills was exhibiting a lot of maturity in managing the affairs of the State, and asked the President not to allow the early gains he has chalked pale into insignificance.

On his part, President Atta Mills recalled how in opposition, the Bolga Naaba on several occasions, opened his doors and always had words of inspiration and words of wisdom.

President Atta Mills thanked the Traditional Head for his kind words and gave the assurance that he will continue to manage the affairs of State in a, truthful, open, honest and transparent manner.

President Mills also affirmed his commitment to upholding the rule of law.

In upholding the rule of law, President Atta Mills said that he will make sure that nobody (including himself) lives above the law and will also make sure that all those who fall foul of the law, are made to face the full rigours of the law.

“I respect our constitution and the laws of the land and I will be reneging on by commitment to building a Better Ghana if I allow people to abuse their offices, dissipate the resources of the state, and walk free with impunity” President Mills said.

“Nobody, and I mean nobody, is above the law” the President added.

President Mills later addressed a gathering outside the Bolga Naaba’s palace and reiterated his commitment to, Investing in Ghanaians, Creating Jobs and Expanding Infrastructure.

Specific to the Upper East Region, President Atta Mills assured the people that the NDC Government will rebuild rundown dams, construct new ones, and make sure that agriculture in general and farming in particular becomes a solid avenue for employment.

President John Atta Mills is expected to meet the Bawku Naaba and other Traditional Leaders as well as Religious Leaders as part of his Day One itinerary.

Earlier, in Tamale, where the President arrived by air en route to the Upper East Region, President Mills inspected a Guard of Honour mounted by the 6th Garrison, made up of the 4th Battalion of Infantry, the 6th Battalion of Infantry, the Airborne Force and the Ghana Airforce.

In Tamale, the President and his entourage were welcomed by the Regional Minister and his Deputy, S.S Nahina and Moses Mabenga respectively, as well as Hajia Fati Jawula, a Council of State member during the tenure of President Jerry John Rawlings.