Ho, Feb. 03, GNA - Mr Joseph Amenowode, Volta Regional Minister-Designate, on Monday, said his first priority would be to unite the people of the region while co-ordinating efforts at human development, job creation and improving the region's economy. "I would first want to break the compartmentalization of the region into Southern, Central and Northern Volta to forge a united front towards the accelerated development of the region."

Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Mr Amenowode assured that he intended to work with everybody to reduce poverty in the region, provide jobs for young people and lessen rural urban migration. He said his administration would identify small scale industries and facilitate the availability of start-up capital for them to get established and be viable.

Mr Amenowode said artisans would be encouraged to form small groups so as to undertake "small contracts." He said he intended to work with Members of Parliament in the region and all Municipal and District Chief Executives in meeting promises made to the region including the establishment of a state university before the end of the first term of the Government.

Mr Amenowode said by 2012, he hoped to have changed the face of the region with improved infrastructure, many formal and informal educational and business opportunities with "no student learning under trees." He acknowledged that the task ahead was not going to be easy but was confident that with the support and patience of the people much would be achieved in the next four years.