Ho, Sept. 23, GNA - The Volta Regional Minister Mr Kofi Dzamesi on Friday rolled out the red carpet to all different political and social groups in the region to step out and join forces to prosecute the region's development.

"In a region where political allegiance is so skewed and polarized, the tendency for suspicion is high and this could affect cohesion and teamwork in pursuing regional development", he said.

Mr Dzamesi was delivering a paper on the topic, "achieving effective inclusiveness and cohesion in the developmental goals of the Volta Region", at a workshop for the Region's Parliamentary Caucus, District Chief Executives, Presiding Members, District Co-ordinating Directors and the Regional Co-ordinating Council to forge co-operation towards the region's development.

Mr Dzamesi said there was the need for a clean departure from the politics of exclusion and suspicion, which worked counter to the Region's interest.

"I have tried to be forthright in my submissions. As a sitting Regional Minister, some of these submissions constitute open self-criticism, which one may want to avoid in view of the delicate political balance and the tendency to politicise every issue in the Region", Mr Dzamesi said.

Mr Dzamesi also saw in traditional rulers of the Region a formidable force for exerting positive influences on central government and development partners to focus attention on the Region's development.

"We as the Regional Co-ordinating Council will foster a close relationship with the chiefs for the constructive engagement of central government in supporting regional development", he assured.

Mr Dzamesi said the Region could in its present circumstances ill afford to isolate any segment of the population in its efforts to develop.

While congratulating Mr Dzamesi for being forthright some members of the Parliamentary Caucus wished that all who matter politically in the Region held his convictions.

Ms Akua Dansua, MP for North-Dayi indicated that the politics of exclusion and suspicion in the Region had made it impossible for sons and daughters with the expertise to rally to her development.

Mr Gyapong Cudjoe, MP for Akan said it was time that those who wielded political influence in the Region gave concrete support to their compatriots who had something positive to offer irrespective of their political leanings.

He said it was time those with political influence in the Region adopted the culture of mutual assistance to encourage their compatriots to contribute their quota to its progress.

Mr Dan Abodakpi, MP for Keta who chaired the function expressed the hope that the workshop marked a new chapter in the life of the Region and that the past should be put behind.