Members of the newly created Oti Regional House of Chiefs have expressed their gratitude to President Akufo-Addo for the creation of the Region during an inaugural ceremony.

At the inauguration, traditional authorities couldn't hide their excitement and gratitude towards the President, the man whom they say made their dreams a reality.

"Thank you for giving us an identity with the creation of the new region," the traditional authorities said during their address.

Speaking at the ceremony, Vice President Dr. Bawumia mentioned that the creation of the six new regions has re-demarcated the administrative boundaries of the country and will help speed up development.

He added that the government of President Akufo-Addo is committed to bringing democracy to the people, and urged the chiefs to be part of the process, using their revered institution.

"As the President said in Goaso during the inauguration of the Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, government is determined to bring governance closer to the people, and expand the boundaries of democracy in our country.

"We are counting on you to help shape and integrate yourselves into these developments. This way, the peculiar Ghanaian contribution to the concept of governance which emanates from the integration of royal, aristocratic institutions into the fabric of a republican, democratic framework, will be enhanced and strengthened to the benefit of the Ghanaian people."

Dr. Bawumia urged Ghanaians to speak out and join Government’s fight against the ills of the society ranging from corruption, social and economic injustice, crime, the illegal mining menace, popularly referred to as galamsey.

He urged the Chiefs to make it their responsibility, as was done in the days of our forefathers, to help preserve the lands, water bodies and environment.

Dr. Bawumia assured the Chiefs of government's readiness to build a new regional hospital as part of the Akufo-Addo government's Agenda 111 health project.

The Vice President took time in updating the chiefs on the extent of development projects the Akufo-Addo government has undertaken in the region so far.

"299 projects are being executed in the Region, with 159 completed, and 140 in the process of completion, these are projects in education, health, roads, water, and sanitation, etc

"Together with flagship policies like the free SHS, planting for food and jobs, one district one factory, one district one warehouse, one constituency one ambulance, NaBCO, Zongo Development Fund."

According to Bawumia, the people of Oti have seen a lot of development and improvement in livelihoods in less than four years under President Akufo-Addo, "we, therefore, need to protect all these achievements as we seek to do more in the next four years with your support”.

The Oti Region was created out of the Volta Region after an emphatic yes in a referendum last year, and the process was completed with a historic inauguration of the Oti Regional House of Chiefs by Vice President Bawumia on Tuesday September 22 in Dambai.