Ho, May 21, GNA - Envoys of European Union (EU) member countries in Ghana are on a two-day familiarization visit to Volta Region to appraise the Union's support to its development. They would meet traditional, opinion and political leaders, visit some EU sponsored projects, some private business entities and assess work done so far on a mapping exercise of mineral resources in the Region.

Mr Miroslav Krenek, Ambassador of Czech Republic to Ghana, who is current Head of EU Mission in Ghana told Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia of Asogli State during a courtesy call that they would also discuss the development aspirations of Volta Foundation, a development advocacy NGO. He said they were expected to learn more about the socio-economic development in the Region to enable them work for stronger EU-Volta Region Partnership.

Colonel Cyril Necku, (rtd), Deputy Volta Regional Minister lauded the EU as a body and its member countries for supporting the Region in school infrastructure and sanitation improvement projects. Mr Ruben Amegashitsi, Head of Economic Planning, Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC) cost of the sixth Micro-Project of EU under which school blocks and other development projects were being financed by EU was 3.2 million Ghana cedis.

He said between 2004 and 2008, Danish Development Agency (DANIDA) spent 17.6 million Ghana cedis on water and sanitation projects in the Region.

Togbe Afede urged EU to help Ghana attain its development goals. He said assistance to fledgling democracies was crucial in a situation where the world's economic downturn had badly affected growth plans of developing countries. Togbe Afede expressed appreciation to the EU for supporting projects for the conservation of cultural heritage in the communities. 21 May 09