Winneba (C/R), May 8, GNA - Mrs. Ama Benyewa-Doe, Central Regional Minister, has called on the people of Effutu Municipality to let peace to prevail in the area to avoid lost of lives and properties. She said development and progress could take place in the area only when peace was ensued.

Mrs. Benyewa-Doe made the call when she visited Neenyi Ghartey V11, Paramount Chief of Effutu Traditional area at his Palace to discuss with members of the Traditional Council disturbances that arose on Friday between the two Asafo companies that had necessitated the cancellation of a durbar to climax this year's Aboakyir festival at Winneba. The Regional Minister said she was disappointed with the cancellation of the durbar and other activities including the capturing of a live deer that was an important aspect of the festival.

Mrs. Benyewa-Doe assured the chiefs and people of the area that the Regional Coordinating Council would work hard to bring a lasting solution to the problem.

Neenyi Ghartey commended the Regional Minister for the visit and said that the rest of the customary and traditional rites would be performed indoors to avoid further clashes and disturbances and called on the people to ensure peace for development.

The Minister was accompanied by Mr, Mike Hammah, Minister for Transport and Member of Parliament of the area, Effutu Municipal Chief Executive, Nii Ephraim and members of the Municipal Security Council. On Friday evening the two Asafo companies, Tuafo No. 1 and Dentsifo No. 2 of the Winneba area involved in the celebration of the Aboakyer festival clashed at Nkwantan, resulting in stone throwing which injured about 10 people who were sent to the Winneba Government Hospital for treatment. This heightened tension between the companies, resulting in the cancellation of the durbar and the capturing of a life deer for traditional and customs rites.

Meanwhile a large number of police personnel armed with anti-rioting equipment were patrolling the Municipality to avoid further disturbances and lost of property. 8 May 10