Ho, Jan. 17, GNA - A Homecoming Summit by a group of "Concerned Gospel Preachers" was held in Ho on Friday as part of a two-week prayer session for spiritual intervention to ensure the speedy socio-economic development of the Volta Region and the "Ewe-land". It was organised by Operation Rescue Africa International, a Non-Denominational and non-profit religious organisation with the objective of promoting the total emancipation and the spiritual development of Africa. The fasting and prayer prelude to the summit was held at Ziavi-Lume, in the Ho District

The Rev. Sammy Azor, Leader of the Volta Awake for Christ Movement said, while not entirely blaming the machinations of the devil for the region's slow growth, one cannot fail to realise that some "forces" were undermining its development. He said special prayers had been initiated during the programme to fight all negative forces militating against the growth of the region.

Rev. Dr. Okechy Gilbert, Executive Director of Operation Rescue Africa International said religious organisations should help gear the youth towards productive ventures and also imbue them with the spirit of selflessness. He said Eweland, which stretches from Ghana, eastwards through Togo and Benin to Badagry in Nigeria is a centre of hidden treasure and place of refuge.

Rev Dr.Gilbert said the key to discovering that treasure could only be found through God and therefore, called on Churches to lead a crusade to eradicate poverty and ignorance in the rural areas, especially.

Mr Simon Kwabla Ocloo, a Banker who presided said truth and forthrightness must prevail in the management of the region to ensure its economic growth. He wondered why several projects started in the region, such as crude oil exploration and drilling ventures failed, while large tracts of arable land remain fallow.

Rev. Modestus Bleboo, a Planning Committee Member told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that, Volta Region's current level of development did not reflect the diversity of resources it had been blessed with. The summit, which was attended by religious leaders mainly from the Charismatic and Pentecostal Churches was characterised by long periods of prayers for God's intervention. It also prayed to God to bless Ghana with a peaceful Presidential and Parliamentary elections this year.

Two months ago an Investment Conference was organised by Compass Ventures under the auspices of the Volta Regional Co-ordinating Council (VRCC) and Ministry of Trade, Industries and Presidential Special Initiatives (PSI) to identify and find solutions to factors hindering the economic take-off of the region. The conference, which was opened by President John Agyekum Kufuor attracted an array of business people, bankers, Investment Specialists, government officials and traditional rulers.

Mr Alan Kyerematen, Minister of Trade, Industries and PSI said at that conference that statistics available indicated that out of 1,569 investments listed in the country for 20 years only 24 were located in the Volta Region.