Appiadu (Ash) Dec 23, GNA - Former President John Agyekum Kufour joined Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene and other dignitaries at the inauguration of a GH¢600,000.00 modern conference centre built at Appiedu, a suburb of Kumasi, drawing a big crowd.

Word about the former President's arrival sent thousands of people rushing to the durbar ground and security personnel had hectic time controlling them.

They cheered, shouted praises and danced to songs instantly composed in his honour.

The chiefs and people in the community paid GH¢450,000.00 of the cost of the project and the remaining GH¢150,000.00 was picked up by an American couple, Mr Rodman J. Osplack.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu warned chiefs against indiscriminate sale of stool lands and the use of the proceeds to live in comfort - riding in posh cars and taking on additional wives, at the expense of the general good of the communities.

He said the lifestyles and conduct of some of them are not just tarnishing the image of chieftaincy but also eroding the trust and confidence of the people they are supposed to be leading.

He said although the chiefs are custodians of lands in their areas, th= ey should liaise with the District, Municipal and Metropolitan assemblies to=

plan the development of these lands.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu praised the Appieduhene, Odeefuo Owusu Amoaye II, for the facility and said its benefits to the present and future generations woul= d be tremendous. Odeefuo Amoaye thanked the American couple for their support and said he=

was in no doubt that the project would positively affect the lives of the=

people.