A scheme to celebrate “achievers” and “great performers” who have contributed towards the development of the Volta Region was launched in Ho last Monday.

The Volta Heroes Foundation Award would be managed by Volta Heroes Foundation (VHF), a non-governmental organisation, which would identify and select individuals for the awards.

Mr Rockson Kwesi Dogbegah, initiator of the scheme and Founder of VHF, said the aim was to celebrate the outstanding performance of individuals in the public and private sectors in the region.

He said the focus was on productivity and not ethnicity, thus the ward was opened to people in and outside the region whose activities impacted positively on people in the region.

“I wish to emphasise that VHF and the award scheme is not and shall not be a political, traditional, ethnic and religion biased. It shall be free from all influences,” Mr Dogbegah said.

He was hopeful the scheme would stimulate performance, patriotism and encourage retention of human resources in the region.

Mr Dogbegah said a selection committee would soon be formed to announce the opening of nomination for the first award scheduled for December 07, this year.

He called on stakeholders, including government institutions, people in the private sector and people in the diaspora, to support and sustain the initiative.

Mr Dogbegah urged traditional authorities in the region to look beyond their traditional roles and consider the economic development of their subjects.

“The Volta Region is a sleeping giant. Let’s wake it up now. We have done all the talking about this in the past, now it is time to act,” he said.

Mr Joseph Afotey Agbo, Volta Regional Minister, in a speech read on his behalf, described the initiative as “bold” and “unique”.

He said the award scheme would help keep qualified professionals in the region to build a robust local economy and urged other regions to consider similar events.

Mr Emmanuel Bedzra, Member of Parliament for Ho-West, welcomed the initiative and urged all to support it.

GNA