Ho, April 18, GNA- President John Evans Atta Mills arrived to a warm welcome in Ho the Volta Regional capital on Friday and declared the region his second home.

"As I drove through town I waved more than I could bear", he quipped. "If today I come to you as President it's because you made it possible," President Mills told a motley crowd of royals, party members and sympathizers, including some former regional stalwarts of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) who jumped ship prior to the 2000 elections perhaps seeking to make a comeback. President Mills, who is on A three-day visit to the region to express his appreciation to the people would however, limit his activities to the Ho Municipal area.

A mild late afternoon sun crawling across from the Eastern sky to the West, cast a golden brightness on the colourful atmosphere of conviviality at the forecourt of the Asogli Palace where the crowd, amidst the throbbing of talking drums waited patiently and expectantly for the arrival of President Mills. His arrival at the forecourt suddenly sparked off pushing and shoving as the crowd sought to have a physical touch of him, compelling the police at certain stages to form a human barrier between the President and his admirers.

After the necessary traditional courtesies the Agbogbomefia Togbe Afede XIV minced no words in telling President Mills why the region contributed to his victory efforts and their expectations of him. "Volta Region desired change because we have not fared well" it is therefore the expectation that the "next eight years" would bring landmark changes to the region, the Agbogbomefia said. The stool father and uncle of Agbogbomefia, Togbe Akpo put it more bluntly as he poured libation wishing President Mills well and reminding him of the dashed hopes of the region in the first eight years of the NDC rule.

Togbe Afede said the expectations of the people of the Volta Region, not withstanding, President Mills should be leader of the whole of Ghana, ruling in justice, fairness and humility. In a brief response, President Mills thanked Togbe Afede for his role in the transition process, "I say a big thank you for coming to our aid". "I know that the greatest expectation of the region is your roads, you have Joe Gidisu," in reference to the Minister of Roads and Highways. 18 April 09