"I see the development of the Oti as an opportunity to strengthen the bonds between the people of the south and the people of the north, and not as a basis for people going apart," he said.

President Akufo-Addo said this at a durbar at Dambai in the Krachi East District as part of his three-day working visit to the Volta Region.

He said considering the petition for the creation of the new region, he was convinced that it would accelerate the socio-economic advancement of the northern part of Volta Region, and called on chiefs from the area to back the petition by rallying the people for an overwhelming 'yes' vote at the referendum.

"I support the demand for the creation of the Oti Region. I believe that it is being done not to spite anybody, not to reject anybody, not to turn our back on anybody, but to promote the development of the area," the President stated.

President Akufo-Addo said his office would soon forward the Brobbey Commission's recommendations to the Electoral Commission for the consideration of a referendum, and promised to ensure that the processes were constitutionally guided to the end.

Scores of people abandoned their activities and flogged the President's convoy with jubilation, while tens of motor riders clad in Party paraphernalia followed through the Jasikan town.

Students lined up streets in the Krachi Districts, with some parading the durbar ground at Dambai holding placards with inscriptions praising efforts of government.

President Akufo Addo lamented the bad nature of the roads, and said the stretch linking Dambai, Krachi and Nkwanta would be done soon.

Nana Mprah Besemuna III, Krachiwura commended the "enviable records of achievements" of the President, and said his acceptance of the petition on the creation of the proposed Oti Region was to them "the greatest achievement since independence".

He said the people of the proposed region were instrumental in the success of the 1956 plebiscite that created the unitary State in 1957, thus needed a separate region to guarantee their share of the national cake.