Minister expresses worry about chieftaincy disputes in Eastern Region

Dawu Akuapem (E/R), Nov. 9 GNA - Mr Samuel Ofosu- Ampofo, Eastern Regional Minister, has expressed worry about the numerous chieftaincy disputes in the area. He noted that all efforts being made at making life better for the people under the "Better Ghana Agenda" would come to nothing if the disputes continue.

Mr Ampofo has therefore made an appeal to chiefs (Nananom) to endeavour to make compromises and give peace a chance in order to stop the wasting of national resources to maintain security in conflict areas. The Regional Minster expressed the concern in an address read on his behalf, at a durbar of the chiefs and people of Dawu in the Akuapem North District to climax this year's Ohum Festival at the weekend. Mr Ofosu- Ampofo said the role of the chieftaincy institution is relevant as ever and the government of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) would always see Nananom as development partners. He said the NDC came to power with the promise to build a better Ghana through the erection of a stronger economy, investing in people, in the areas of health, education and training, expanding infrastructure and creating jobs. Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said to this end government in conjunction with the district assemblies and with support from development partners had initiated and completed a number of projects in the district. He said as many as 25 classroom buildings, 16 boreholes, six area council offices, and some feeder road rehabilitation works had been tackled.

Mr Ofosu -Ampofo said contracts had been awarded under the Ghana Education Trust Fund for the construction of seven classroom blocks to eliminate the shift system in the district.

Under the National Youth Employment Programme, 470 youth had been engaged in various modules while another 412 were employed into the agriculture sector with the assembly providing the needed support. He commended the chiefs and people of Dawu for their communal and self- help spirit, which had seen the town enjoying a lot of development projects and urged other communities to emulate the example. The Kyidomhene and Acting Chief of Dawu, Nana Awuku Bram III, expressed dissatisfaction about the high rate of indiscipline among the youth in the town, which he said poses a serious threat to the future generation of the area. He therefore appealed to the leadership of the various youth groups and religious organisations in the community to join hands to deal with the situation before it gets out of hand.