President John Evans Atta Mills, has commended the chiefs and people of Effutu Traditional Area for ensuring law and order during the recent celebration of the annual Aboakyer Festival.

Mr. Mike Hammah, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for Effutu, gave the commendation on behalf of the President at a forum held in Winneba in the Effutu Municipality of the Central Region.

He expressed the President’s appreciation to the chiefs and people for adhering to the laid down rules and regulations given them by the Municipal Security Council before the celebration of the 2012 festival, which commenced on April 27 and was climaxed on May 19.

The festival had been marred with violence in previous years due to a protracted chieftaincy dispute.

Aboakyer (To catch an animal) is characterised by the two Asafo (Traditional Warriors) Companies; Tuafo Number One, and Dentifo Number Two, who venture into the bush amidst drumming and dancing to catch a live dear as a trophy for the festival.

Any of the two groups that manage to bring the animal first to the durbar grounds carries the day.

This year the Tuafo No. 1 group managed to bring a live deer by 0815 after nearly three hours in the forest.

Mr. Hammah said he was hopeful that the status quo would prevail to facilitate peace, which he noted is the most powerful tool to forge development.

He urged the people to invest in the education of their children rather than spending lavishly on apparel, funerals and litigations.

Mr. Hammah also asked parents to counsel their children to acquire the requisite knowledge and skills in order to become productive in the society.

“In view of this, I have initiated an Educational Endowment Fund to support brilliant but needy students to further their education and for those who wants to pursue vocational training.”

Mr. Hammah announced that the landing beach project and construction of an ultra modern market complex at Winneba Junction would start soon.

He admonished his constituents not to indulge in acts that could disrupt the peace and tranquillity of the area before, during and after the December 7 General Election.

Very Reverend Eldad Bonney, Presiding Member of the Municipal Assembly, thanked the revellers for characterising the festival with their show of patriotism and asked them to display the same spirit in subsequent events.

Later, Mr. Hammah presented a cow, six bottles of schnapps and undisclosed amount of money on behalf of the government to the two Asafo companies and other stakeholders of the festival as a reward for their show of maturity.**