Abeadze (C/R), Aug. 30, GNA - A large number of government functionaries and other prominent personalities joined the grand durbar to mark the "Abeadze Ahobaa Kese" festival of Abeadze Dominase, in the Central Region, climaxing a week-long annual celebration.

The festival observed with pomp and pageantry under the theme: "Festival, a tool for cohesion and development of the Abeadze State in the 21st century," also attracted chiefs and queens in and outside the region, and tourists, at the weekend.

The Central Regional Minister, Mrs Ama Benyiwa-Doe, who graced the occasion, reiterated calls to parents to send their children to school because it is the surest way of stemming poverty in the rural areas.

She expressed concern that even though a large number of the good schools in the country are located in the region, few indigenes gain admission to them.

Parents should, therefore, consider the education of their children paramount and stop spending on unnecessary things.

She advised them not to solely depend on governmental or philanthropists for support but rather, contribute their quota in their small way to aid the development of the area, especially towards the provision of social amenities.

The Minister appealed to the Police, as well as other security agencies, to tighten security, particularly, in the rural areas, because most armed robbers are taking cover at the country side.

On the forth coming District Assemblies' elections, Mrs Benyiwa-Doe urged men to encourage women to contest instead of discouraging them, and asked the public to participate in the impending Population and Housing Census to ensure its success.

The Chief of Abeadze State, Daasebre Kweebu Ewusi VII, expressed regret

that poverty was seriously affecting education in the area.

Consequently, the "Nana Ewusi VII Charity Foundation" was instituted as a humanitarian response to the educational plight of the people of the area.

He, therefore, called on parents to take advantage of it and send their children to school to secure a bright future for them.

Daasebre Ewusi, who is also a Member of Council of State, asked the youth to desist from migrating to the urban areas in search of "greener pastures," stressing that, they should rather stay in the town and engage in farming, which he said, was a lucrative venture.

He cautioned that HIV/ AIDS and Tuberculosis, and other life-threatening diseases, are real so they should take very good care of themselves to stay healthy to prolong their life span and contribute their quota to the development of the area.

Daasebre Ewusi also advised his people against engaging in unhealthy partisan politics that would divide their ranks but said they should remain united and live in harmony with one another to facilitate the growth of the area.

The Minister of Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Essuming Ahensan, gave the assurance that the numerous chieftaincy and land disputes would soon be a thing of the past because the Ministry was in the process of documenting the rightful heirs of the various royal houses across the country.

He called on chiefs and traditional rulers to cooperate with the programme to quicken the process.

The various houses of chiefs should also settle disputes amicably while chiefs and elders of stools and skins should live in peace with one another, he added.

He announced that the Government would soon pay allowances to paramount queens across the country and also increase that of the chiefs, which, he said, was woefully inadequate.

He called on the people of the area to use the occasion to bridge their differences and chart a way forward to have better and fruitful years in the future.