President John Mahama has assured the people of Volta Region that his government will soon begin key projects aimed at enhancing development of the region.

Oil and gas exploration at Keta, rice and salt production in large quantities, according to President Mahama, are some of the projects he is working on to bring wealth to the region.

President Mahama said this when he joined the chiefs and people of Anloga to celebrate the annual Hogbetsotso festival.

The President said he intends to finance rice production in the Volta Region to make it a major rice producer.

He also said expansion of salt production capacity will soon take off  in the region.

President Mahama said another initiative government would be starting in the region is aquaculture and appealed to the people to support government to achieve that.

Despite being a known reservoir of votes for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), whose government John Mahama presides, chiefs and people of the Volta Region say the Mahama-led administration has neglected the region.

Unemployment and poverty is rife in the Volta Region, particularly in the northern half of the region, despite availability of natural resources and good climate.

On roads for the cocoa growing districts in the region, President Mahama announced that COCOBOD had set aside $150 million for the construction of roads in the region and five other regions that produce cocoa.

He said government would also finance the construction and upgrading of all feeder roads throughout the country and appealed to Ghanaians to exercise patience as they cannot be served simultaneously.

On the Ebola disease, President Mahama called on Ghanaians not to create unnecessary panic with false allegations on the viral disease.

"We are lucky not to have recorded a single case of Ebola, but we should not take that for granted, but rather, continue to pray and work hard to avoid its outbreak in the country."

Togbi Sri III, Awoamefia of Anlo said his administration was focused on fighting hunger, deprivation, injustice, disease, poverty, illiteracy, crime, ignorance and human suffering.

The Awoamefia appealed to President Mahama to extend electricity to more communities in the traditional area to promote rural and cottage industries, construct and upgrade roads in the Kome and Shime areas.

He also asked for the establishment of a Campus of the University of Health and Allied Sciences in the Southern Volta to cater for Animal Science and Fisheries, adding that, "The Fish landing site promised many years ago is still unfortunately on the drawing board."

Awadada Agbesi Awusi II of Anlo Traditional Council, appealed to President Mahama to harness the investment potentials of the Anlo Traditional area.

He mentioned oil and gas exploration, mining of salt, building of a modern harbour in Keta, promoting the Ketu Power project and a fish farming industry as some of the areas that needed some support to make the people comfortable.

President Mahama earlier participated in a clean-up exercise at Sogakope to mark the maiden monthly National Sanitation Day.

The Hogbetsotso festival is an occasion to celebrate the glorious past, reconcile the chiefs and citizens and acknowledge their challenges.

It is also used to strengthen their cultural values and tradition in rapid development in conformity with the theme of the year's celebration and to display cultural and historical values for fun.