Mills grateful to Central Region-As House of Chiefs Honours Him

President John Evans Atta Mills on Saturday warmed himself into the hearts of many residents in the Central Region when he showed his appreciation to them for supporting his bid to become President of Ghana.

Speaking at a durbar organized by paramount chiefs in the region in his honour at the Victoria Park (Jubilee Park) in Cape Coast, President Mills said for two consecutive times, the people in the region rejected him and wherever he went, people were asking what he had done wrong.

“God's time is the best”, he said, explaining that in all those elections, he was not perturbed and God has really spoken. He expressed his profound gratitude to the residents in the region for the tremendous support they gave him in 2008 and promised that he would fulfil the promises he made to them.

He said he would never turn his back on them and will make sure he leaves a better legacy for the youth to follow. President Mills said he would rule the country with honesty and humility and that he will share the national cake equitably to promote collective national growth. He appealed to chiefs in the Central Region to unite and desist from undermining each other so as to ensure total development of the region.

He indicated that the elections were over and called on people to stop intimidating others, urging them to forgive and forget.

President Mills was named Okunyin (great person) by the Central Regional House of Chief in honour of his feat as the first Ghanaian President from the region.

He was given two Kente Clothes, a pair of sandals and a stool to signify his honour, and was made to sit on the stool three times by Daasebre Kwebu Ewusie, President of the Regional House of Chiefs and Omanhen of Abeadze Traditional Area, who is currently a Member of Council of State.

In his acceptance speech, President Mills said that he was overwhelmed by the honour and promised to live up to the expectation of the people and asked for God's guidance and knowledge to rule the country successfully.

Earlier, Daasebre Ewusie said the paramount chiefs decided to honour him because of his endurance in politics and victory in the December elections.

He called on President Mills to revive collapsed industries in the Central Region and also build new ones to create employment for the teaming unemployed in the region.

Mr. Kwesi Ahwoi, the Agriculture Minister, took time to explain issues regarding premix fuel distribution, agricultural policies, construction of cold stores and landing beaches for the various fishing communities.

Mrs. Ama Benyiwa Doe, Central Regional Minister, thrilled the crowd with her local dance performance at the durbar, which saw hundreds cheering her on.

The Chiefs and their queens displayed their traditional regalia while mini-Ghanaian flags were waved by many of the people who gathered at the place.

Okyeame Kofi Benyi, poured libation to ask for blessing from God and the ancestors to guide President Mills in whatever he did.

Earlier on Friday, President Mills was honoured by the Oguaa Traditional Council on his arrival to the city. He was given the proverbial crab, a symbol of the people of Cape Coast, by Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, Omanhen of Oguaa Traditional Area.

The whole Cape Coast Metropolis was turned upside down on Friday when he first stepped into the city, acknowledging cheers from onlookers as he drove through the ancient city.

Among those who accompanied President Mills to Cape Coast include Mr. Eddie Annan, a leading member of the NDC and Mr. Alex Asum Ahensan, Chieftaincy Minister, Mr. Victor Gbeho, former Foreign Minister, Mr.Mike Hammah, Minister for Transport, among others.