Sogakope (V/R), Sept. 28, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Tuesday arrived at Sogakope in the South Tongu District to begin a three-day official tour of the Volta Region.

Kwamena Bartels, Minister of Private Sector Development and Miss Elizabeth Ohene, Minister of State for Tertiary Education were among President Kufuor's entourage.

Addressing the chiefs and people of Sogakope, President Kufuor said the town was the real gateway to the Volta Region and explained that the tour was to review projects in the Region and to see for himself what the Government had done since its assumption of office in 2001.

President Kufuor said it was also to give testimony on whether the Government had delivered on its promise and to account for its stewardship.

H e appealed to the people to vote and return the NPP to power for its track record since they were in better position to evaluate the development projects the government had provided for the them and the good governance they were enjoying.

"This Government is aware of the value of your worth and would provide your fair share in development projects and services", he said. Addressing an enthusiastic crowd at Akatsi, President Kufuor said; "the support and enthusiasm shown by the people today is different from the past years that I have been here.

"I am so happy and see happy faces and I feel welcomed." He said this year's elections would be different from the past elections under the Fourth Republic because more than 70 per cent of Ghanaians were determined to consolidate the positive change in the socio-economic development of the country.

President Kufuor stressed the need for Ghanaians to move away from the past where there was division among the people. "We want to build a country where there is peace, unity and stability."

He said Akatsi was very central to Ghana while the Volta Region was an important Region that should move ahead together with other regions in the country in the same direction. President Kufuor said the Government would continue to give the Volta Region its fair share of developments and urged the people in the Region to come along with the Government for Positive Change because it would not discriminate.

"My wish is to get Akatsi into my Government. Before, our Party was nervous about Volta Region. From what I have seen now, I am convinced this year will be very different from 2000", he said.