Traditional authorities urged to help maintain peace

Badu (B/A), Oct. 10, GNA - Nana Boakye Yiadom II, Omanhene of Badu Traditional Area, has urged traditional authorities to help maintain peace and stability in the country. He noted that countries that had suffered wars were far behind in terms of development and advised the leadership of the various political parties in the country to help maintain the image of the nation's democracy.

"Our country will not develop if we do not have peace, so we need to exercise our franchise in a peaceful manner, during the December polls, to enable us to continue enjoying peace in our various communities", the chief added.

Nana Boakye Yiadom gave the advice when Mr Usman Fakih Suallah, Parliamentary candidate of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) for Tain constituency and some of the party's national executives paid a courtesy call on him at his palace at Badu.

"The country's democracy is matured enough to conduct peaceful elections this year and there is the need for political parties to avoid insults and rancor during their campaigns", he said. Nana Boakye Yiadom urged the people of the area, particularly the youth, not to engage in activities that would disturb the peace before, during and after the elections.

He said maintaining peace and tranquility in the country depended largely on the Electoral Commission and appealed to the Commission to be fair and firm in exercising its duties.

Mr Suallah noted with regret that that most of the youth of the area often traveled to neighbouring countries in search of jobs, with many facing hardships and some losing their lives. He said he would ensure that people enjoyed credit facilities for the maintenance of their farms, as well as better road networks to facilitate the transportation of their produce to marketing centres. The parliamentary candidate said he would collaborate with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to ensure good prices for the farmers' produce.

On education, Mr Suallah said he would establish an educational fund with the support of the government and the people and also provide accommodation for teachers.

On health, Mr Suallah noted with concern the absence of a hospital in the constituency, and that, the clinics available could not provide the necessary medical attention due to the lack of personnel. He promised to provide a modern hospital for quality health care for the people.

Mr Kwadwo Rockson, National Organizer of the party, said he was overwhelmed by the support that he hand received in the region, which he said "indicates that the DPP has a greater chance of winning the December general elections". He said the tour of the region was part of a strategy to reach the people in the rural areas to strengthen the party's structures, educate and encourage members at the constituency level to ensure the party's victory in the elections. The constituencies he visited in the region were Tano North and South, Pru, Sunyani East and West, Kintampo North and South, Techiman North and South, Nkoranza North and South, Wenchi and Tain. 10 Oct. 08