Chiefs urged to resolve conflicts

Kadjebi (Volta River) 16 Feb '99 -

Alhaji Seidu Iddi, Volta Regional Minister, has called on chiefs to use their traditional wisdom to find lasting solutions to conflicts in their communities and avoid plunging the regional security councils into incurring unnecessary cost. He said this at a meeting with heads of departments, chiefs and a cross section of the public at Kadjebi last Friday during a familiarisation visit to the district to solicit the support and co-operation of the people in the performance of his duties. Alhaji Iddi asked chiefs to intervene in emerging conflicts in their communities and be committed to finding solutions in order to open their communities up for investment and development.

The Minister was speaking in reference to the use of the name "Amanta", which is creating a problem between the people of Dapaa and Pampawie as to which of the area councils has the right to that name. He said the name should unite rather than divide them and assured the people in the Northern Volta that they have not been neglected in the government's development plan which has led to rumours of secession. "Your problems of motorable roads, potable water, electricity, health and telecommunications are receiving serious attention from the government" Alhaji Iddi said and commended the press in the region for their commitment and dedication in positively projecting the region to achieve its development aspirations.

Mr Francis Kingsley Amoah Nyarko, Kadjebi District Chief Executive in a welcoming address said in addition to the district's two billion cedis share of the common fund received, revenue generation has also improved considerably. Most of the money, he said has gone into improving education and health facilities, the rehabilitation of feeder roads and other income generating ventures. Non-governmental organisations also assisted. Mr Nyarko said the assembly in its efforts to raise the fallen standards of education in the district is setting aside five million cedis to buy library books for the various basic and second cycle schools in addition to the setting up of an education fund. Nana Gyapong Kudjo, Member of Parliament for Akan, complained about the slow pace of work on development projects in the area especially the road network and suggested a change of contractors to speed up the work.