Chief advises against tribalism in Ghanaian society

Kumasi, Sept. 28, GNA - Alhaji Salifu Mohammed, chief of the Bissa (Busanga) community at Ayigya Zongo, a suburb of Kumasi, has advised Ghanaians to do away with ethnic sentiments and tribalism as they do not only divide the nation but stifle the aspirations of people towards development.

"The onus lies on us as a people to let our endeavours to be devoid of ethnic and tribal sentiments if we are desirous to make a headway towards solving the numerous problems that have bedevilled our zongos in particular and the nation as a whole."

Alhaji Salifu was speaking at a ceremony to commemorate the 15th anniversary of his enskinment as the Bissa chief of Ayigya Zongo in Kumasi on Saturday.

Alhaji Salifu was happy that all feuding factions who opposed his enskinment in 1988 had now smoked the peace pipe thereby paving the way for a more collective and united front towards the development of the area.

He reminded the people of Ayigya that it was only through unity of purpose that their mission to progress could be achieved, stressing, "let us stay united and resist any attempts to divide our ranks again."

"Now that peace is prevailing amongst we the Bissas, girl-child education will be my first priority and will feature very prominently on my programme".

Alhaji Salifu said he had plans as from the next academic year to sponsor the education of five brilliant but needy children especially girls as his contribution towards the improvement of education in the area.

Alhaji Osman Tanko, chief of Bissas in the Ashanti Region, in a message read for him, commended the feuding factions for burying their differences and now wholeheartedly pledging their support to Alhaji Salifu.