Hostile political atmosphere in Volta is now a thing of the past -Letsa

Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa Reflects on Political Changes in Volta Region

Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, the former Volta Regional Minister, sees a positive shift in politics. He believes the hostile political atmosphere is now a thing of the past. People are more accepting of different political views and alliances.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Dr. Letsa noted that previously, everyone was expected to support the National Democratic Congress (NDC). In those days, expressing differing opinions could lead to violence. Now, members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) visit without fear of attacks.

Dr. Letsa shared an experience where he saw people wearing NPP t-shirts without any issues. “The hostility has died down completely,” he stated.

He expressed pride in leaving the Region peaceful. When he took office in 2017, the Alavanyo-Nkonya conflict troubled him greatly. It was a longstanding issue that caused him sleepless nights due to fears of violence.

To address this conflict, Dr. Letsa emphasized collaboration with various groups including National Security and local leaders. He also mentioned challenges from the Trans-Volta Togoland secessionist group but noted they lacked local support.

“Thankfully, they did not have support among citizens,” he said. Most people were uninterested in their activities, which helped restore peace.

Dr. Letsa highlighted concerns about terrorism threats along the eastern border due to reports from Togo. This prompted efforts to ensure regional security, which he praised as effective.

Another achievement during his tenure was promoting tourism in the Region with help from various organizations like the Ghana Tourism Authority and AGI. The 2021 Volta Trade and Investment Fair was particularly successful.

“It’s the biggest we have experienced so far,” Dr. Letsa remarked about the fair's impact on local economy and tourism.

Under his leadership, the Region won recognition as the best Regional Coordinating Council for four consecutive years from 2021 to 2024.

From Edward Williams, Ho
GNA