The Volta Regional Executive Committee of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Friday upheld the suspension of leaders of the Wednesday August 13 Demonstration in Ho protesting the sluggish development of the region. This was announced at a press conference addressed by Mr Kwesi Aboagye, NDC Regional Chairman in Ho. Alhaji Bello and Daniel Idikoko, NDC activists in the Ho-Central and Ho-West constituencies, were leading a group of about 50 people through the principal streets of Ho that day when police intercepted, dispersed and arrested the leaders and 10 others. Mr Aboagye said the suspension of Mr Bello and Mr Idikoko was proper and therefore upheld it. “The Regional Executive Committee of the NDC in consultation with the Ho-Central and Ho-West Constituencies has decided to uphold the suspension… for the misconduct of not addressing their grievances through the appropriate party channels as any loyal and honest party member is enjoined by the NDC constitution,” Mr Aboagye said. He said “they did not do this but instead, decided to conspire with forces covertly and overtly opposed to the NDC in the region.” The demonstrators wanted the Mr Joseph Amenowode, Regional Minister and Mr Isaac Kodobisah, Ho Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) sacked for failing to marshal government to fulfill election promises to the region, especially the Eastern Corridor Highway and the University of Health and Allied Sciences. Mr Aboagye said the leaders of the march would be put before a disciplinary committee at the appropriate level to enable them to defend their actions. He said while those leaders had the right to demonstrate, just like any other Ghanaian, going according to the laws, it was grossly inappropriate for them to go on the streets when there were very open channels to get answers to their grievances. Mr Aboagye said the “issue of development of the region is a major concern for and a primary responsibility of all ‘Voltarians’ irrespective of their political affiliation. “We recognize and respect the right of Ghanaians, including Alhaji Bello to demonstrate. They should however not hold the party to ransom because of their personal differences and frustrations with certain appointees of the President,” Mr Aboagye said. He said that the expectations of the people of the region were actualizing systematically and that the Act for the university was about being passed to have it started at selected sites in the region. Mr Aboagye said 20 million dollars had been released by the government for commencement of work on the permanent site, where the President cut the sod. He said the government had also approved 100 million dollars for the stretch of the Eastern Corridor from Asikuma to Hohoe and also a Brazilian facility of 250 US dollars had been secured to construct the stretch from Damanko to Yendi. Mr Aboagye said the bid for the stretch from Dodi-Pepesu to Nkwanta had been opened in Accra and contract would be awarded soon.