Ngleshie Alata Traditional Council inaugurated

The Ngleshie Alata Traditional Council (NATC) has been inaugurated in Accra with a call on the government and corporate bodies to assist in restoring the town's image and developing the skills of the youth.

Oblempong Nii Kojo Ababio V, Paramount Chief of Ngleshie Alata, said it was evident that James Town and its satellite rural areas are now in trauma and could compare with less endowed towns and cities.

He said:"I vividly recall as a young man that Ngleshie Alata in the Ga Mashie area nurtured most of the distinguished and opinion leaders of the country, including the first Governor of the Gold Coast, the first native Chief justice, renowned doctors, lawyers ..."

However, he said, the communities had gone through traumatic challenges over the past 30 years to get to regain its status; and urged the people to put the past behind them and forge ahead to ensure rapid development in the area.

Oblempong Nii Kojo Ababio V said , areas such as health, education, sanitation and skills development for the youths and discipline were very high on their agenda and appealed to well wishers to assist in kind and cash to achieve their goals.

He said the elevation of the stool, called for a change in conception, perception, administration and management of the paramountcy, and appealed to the Inspector General of Police to assist in maintaining discipline in the tradition area.

Nene Abram Kabu Akuaku III, Ada Mantse and President of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, called on members of the NATC to work hard to ensure that the desired goal was achieved for all who stood for the institution of chieftaincy.

"Let us not forget that the chieftaincy institution is a noble one and we must all, therefore, as Chiefs, work hard to achieve amicable settlement of disputes within society and ensure peaceful co-existence for all Ghanaians," he said.

Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo, Greater Accra Regional Minister, urged them to sustain the current peace and unity prevailing to avail themselves for development projects that would empower them economically.

He said the numerous chieftaincy disputes and litigation in the Region could only be resolved through the goodwill of all parties involved rather than the law courts.

Nii Afotey Agbo said monies used on litigations could be used to improve the lots of the children of school going age as well as initiate important community projects such as libraries, community centers and recreational facilities.

He said letting sleeping dogs lie could prove very challenging but with goodwill, honesty, courage, fair play, tolerance, loyalty and patriotism "we can get there".

Nii Oko Vanderpuiye, the Mayor of Accra, announced that redevelopment of the Salaga Market, restoration of the Korle Lagoon and the 'Lavender Hill Project' would be completed by the end of the year.**