Dr. Gabriel Kwamigah Tanko Atokple, the Volta Regional Representative on Ghana’s Council of State, has called on traditional leaders and government structures in the Volta Region to form a united front to champion key development projects vital to the region’s progress.
Speaking at the General Meeting of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs in Ho on Thursday, Dr. Atokple underscored the urgent need to deepen cooperation between traditional leadership and governmental institutions. According to him, the collective voice of the region’s traditional authorities carries significant weight and can influence national decision-making when unified and persistent.
“The Volta Regional House of Chiefs carries a great route,” Dr. Atokple stated. “When we are together with one voice, the concerns of our people are more likely to reach the highest and receive the attention they need.”
The seasoned statesman emphasized that his role on the Council of State becomes more impactful when it is aligned with a consolidated position from the House. To this end, he proposed that the House of Chiefs formally engage President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on three pressing regional development priorities:
1. The Volta Harbour Project
Dr. Atokple described the harbour project as a game-changer that has the potential to transform the Volta Region into a hub for trade and transportation. He said the project would unlock new avenues for employment, business growth, and movement of goods, thereby strengthening the region’s economy.
2. Operationalization of the Ho Aviation Training School
He noted that the Ho Aviation Training School, once functional, could become a catalyst for technical education and a magnet for investment and innovation. The institution would not only enhance the region’s visibility on the national and global stage but also empower young people with new skills.
3. Agricultural Mechanization
Citing the region’s deep roots in agriculture, Dr. Atokple called for urgent attention to modernize farming practices. “Many of our communities still depend on outdated tools and methods,” he lamented. Mechanization, he argued, will significantly improve agricultural productivity, ensure food security, and provide resilient livelihoods for the youth.
Dr. Atokple expressed gratitude to President Akufo-Addo for a recent directive to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, to use a $30 million Chinese grant for the construction of an automotive spare parts market in Aflao. He praised the directive as a welcome sign of action and a testament to what consistent advocacy can achieve.
“It is an encouraging reminder that when we speak clearly and consistently, results will surely follow,” he said.
While commending the progress, Dr. Atokple urged the House not to relent in pushing for the fulfillment of other promises made to the region. He stressed that when the harbour, aviation school, and agricultural modernization projects are completed, the region would have taken “steady steps toward economic autonomy.”
Invoking the enduring words of Ghana’s first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah — “We face neither East nor West; we face forward” — Dr. Atokple called on the House to adopt a forward-looking and united posture in pursuit of regional transformation.
In a forward-thinking recommendation, he encouraged the House to explore sustainable income-generating ventures that could reduce its dependence on government allowances. “We must think creatively and act with intent if we are to ensure the long-term strength of our institutions,” he advised.
Concluding his remarks, Dr. Atokple pledged his unwavering commitment to advocating for the Volta Region at the highest level of governance, assuring the chiefs that he would continue to speak with clarity and consistency to ensure that the promises made to the people are not only remembered but fulfilled.
“Let us move forward together. Let us speak with one voice. And let us work towards a Volta Region that is economically vibrant, culturally rich, and united in purpose,” he said passionately.
The meeting brought together prominent traditional rulers from across the Volta Region and provided a platform to deliberate on developmental priorities and the way forward for the region’s prosperity.
By Ivy Priscilla Setordjie | Ho, Volta Region | July 18, 2025