Mr Kwaku Oppong-Kyekyeku Kaakyire, District Chief Executive for Afigya Kwabre, has asked chiefs to rally their people to undertake development projects in their communities.

He said they should be seen as setting the development agenda in their communities and support the district assembly to roll out more infrastructural development projects.

Mr Oppong-Kyekyeku was speaking at the climax of the third anniversary celebration of the “Efie ne Fie” (Homecoming) Festival of the chiefs and people of Afigya Kwabre at Kodie.

The festival, which had the blessing of Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, was created by the assembly five years ago to forge a united development agenda and to improve the lives of the people. It is also to exhibit the rich culture of the people.

This year's celebration was under the theme: “The Role of Traditional Leadership in Local Economic Development”.

Activities that marked the occasion included quiz, soccer, health talk, puberty rites observation and food fair as well as honouring of outstanding citizens in the district.

Some six prominent citizens from the district with significant achievements in their fields of endeavour were honoured.

They are Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Kofi Boakye, Ashanti Regional Police Commander, Nana Ahenkro Osei, Ahenkrohene, Dr Ofori Sarpong, Managing Director of Special Ice Company, Mr Yaw Amankwaa, an educationist, Mrs Anita Afriyie, a gospel musician, and Mr Kwadwo Nkansah Lil Wynn, an actor and comedian were honoured.

They were presented with a plaque and citation.

Prizes in the form of computers, sets of jersey, and footballs were also presented to schools and educational institutions which excelled in the quiz and soccer competitions organised during the celebrations.

Mr Oppng-Kyekyeku said the festival had led to the restoration of unity in the district, intensification of sister-city partnership between the district and the State of Arkansas in the United States of America and the consolidation of the cultural heritage of the people.

He solicited the financial support from all companies and businesses in the area for the establishment of a development fund to serve as a financial source to complement the efforts of government in achieving the needed social interventions.

Mr Oppong-Kyekyeku stressed the importance of the on-going street naming exercise and sought co-operation from the chiefs to mitigate the challenges associated with the exercise.

He suggested the creation of a District House of Chiefs with powers that could be incorporated into the District Assembly bye-laws to help discipline chiefs who engaged in multiple sales of land and also rid the district of chieftaincy disputes.

The Members of Parliament for Afigya-Kwabre North and South, Nana Kwabena Amaniampong Marfo, and William Owuraku Aidoo respectively, praised the DCE for his efforts and asked the chiefs and the people to sustain the festival.

Nana Boakye Yam II, Chief of Nkwantakese, who chaired the function, expressed the hope that the forum would help bridge gaps among chiefs and thereby create the needed peace and harmony to bring development to the area.