Omanhene calls for dialogue in settling differences

Koforidua (Eastern Region) - The Omanhene of New Juaben Traditional Area, Daasebre (Dr) Oti Boateng, has called on the citizens of the area to resolve to avoid violence and settle all their differences through dialogue and negotiation.

He reminded them of the harm which disunity had done to other communities and advised the people to realise that, their real enemies were the inadequate educational infrastructure in the area to prepare them adequately for the modern job market and inadequate utility services and health facilities.

Daasebre Oti Boateng made the call at the Addae Kese Durbar on Sunday to honour him on the tenth anniversary of his coronation as the Omanhene of the Traditional Area and in recognition of his recent appointment as a United Nations Commissioner on the International Civil Service Commission.

He reminded the people of the area of cordiality which he extended to them on 2 January this year, and stressed the importance of that gesture in the sustenance of peace and unity in the Traditional Area.

Daasebre Oti Boateng enumerated the number of improvements, which had taken place in the traditional area since his enstoolment, including improvement in the state of the road network, the telephone system, the electricity supply and the establishment of two tertiary institutions in the Municipality.

However, he said the perennial water problem, which faces the people was yet to be resolved. Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, Member of Parliament (MP) for New Juaben North and Minister for Foreign Affairs said the government would support all chiefs who would champion the development of their area.

He said in 4 January next year, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) would be going to congress to elect President John Agyekum Kufuor as its flagbearer for the 2004 presidential elections.

Mr Yaw Barimah, MP for Koforidua and Minister of Works and Housing said it was the desire of government to rehabilitate the roads and improve upon the water supply in the Koforidua Municipality for the people to know that their vote to the NPP was a right decision.

As part of the celebration, ten people were awarded prizes for their contribution towards the development of the Traditional Area and Ghana. They inlcluded Mr Owusu-Agyeman, Mr Yaw Barimah, Daasebre Dwamena, a musician, Mrs Margaret Amankra, Proprietress of Victory Vocational Institute and Mr Isaac Osei, Ghana's High Commissioner to Great Britain.

Among the dignitaries who attended the festival was President John Agyekum Kufour who presented customarily drinks and two million cedis to Daasebre Oti Boateng. Mr Owusu-Agyemang and Mr Barima also presented customarily drinks and two million cedis to Daasebre Oti Boateng.