The chiefs of the Nkusukum Traditional Area in the Central Region, declined to ride in palanquins during the celebration of their Odambea festival as a sign of respect for the late President John Evans Atta Mills.

The Odambea festival is celebrated during the last week of August in commemoration of the migration of the ancestors of Borbor Fantse from Techiman in the Brong-Ahafo Region.

Every year, the paramount chief and the divisional chiefs ride in palanquins through the principal streets of Saltpond to the durbar ground at the Victoria Park.

Addressing the large gathering, most of whom were in mourning apparels, Mr. Alexander Asum-Ahensah, Minister of Chieftaincy Affairs, said festivals re-affirm citizens’ allegiance to their communities and traditional rulers and strengthened communal bond.

Mr. Asum-Ahensah appealed to the communities where their festivals had become problematic, to resolve their differences to pave the way for the development of the communities.

He said the government had made progress under its “Better Ghana” agenda and had provided infrastructure and facilities in education, health, transportation and had expanded the School Feeding Programme, raising the number of children benefiting to 1,347,394 from 658,219 in 2009/2010 academic year.

Mr. Aquinas Tawiah Quansah, Deputy Central Regional Minister, said efforts were being made to complete the construction of the Police Headquarters building which was abandoned over 20 years ago as well as a new mortuary for the Saltpond Municipal Hospital.

Mr. Henry Kweku Hayfron, Mfantseman Municipal Chief Executive, said a hostel with 100 rooms had been built for the Training. and Courses Centre at Saltpond to accommodate people who participate in its programmes.

Nana Kwesi Brebo III, Chief of Kuntu and acting President of the Traditional Council, appealed to the government to complete the police headquarters and barracks buildings that had been abandoned to solve the accommodation problem facing police personnel.

He appealed to the government to tar Kuntu/Anokyi road.