Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama has said that the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) had spearheaded a number of development projects in the Volta Region.

He emphasised that "Even the blind can testify to the development NPP has brought to the Region.”

Aliu was speaking at Sogakope on Tuesday after he was installed as a "Development Chief" of Sogakope under the stool name Togbe Avulekpor Soga I. The name literally means "A dog which has preyed upon a tiger."

Dressed in traditional apparel of kente, a golden crown, native sandals, Vice President Alhaji Mahama sat in state on an elephant-carved stool and received greetings and appellations from the chiefs, the Volta Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Dzamasi, some Ministers of State, district chief executives and people from the fishing and farming community.

Beaming with smiles, he thanked the chiefs and people for the honour done him.

"It is a great challenge to me personally to see to the development of the Region in general and Sogakope in particular."

Vice President Mahama announced that the Sogakope-Akatsi road had been awarded on contract and said government was eager to improve on the socio-economic activities of the people to fight poverty.

He asked the youth to embrace the National Youth-in-Development Programme to improve on their lot.

"Now that I am at the centre of development, we should all get on board," he said, attracting cheers.

Togbe Avudzega Soga I, Chief of Sogakope, who was assisted by a number of chiefs from the traditional area to perform the installation rites, said the Vice President had championed the development of the area, which included the awarding of the Sogakope-Adidome road on contract.

Togbe Soga said: "Alhaji Mahama talks little but does more...From today his Excellency has become the worthy son of this area."

Aliu Mahama had earlier cut the sod for the commencement of the ¢187.3 billion Sogakope-Adidome road, which is the first phase of works on the 45 kilometre-road linking Ho-Fume.