Avoid acts that will compromise peace - Afotey Agbo
The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Afotey Agbo, has urged the chiefs and people of the Shai-Osudoku Traditional Area to eschew all acts that will jeopardise the peace before, during and after the 2016 general election.
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He said such acts, if not checked, would delay development and other social interventions for the people of the area and as such, urged them to unite as one people for a common purpose.
He was speaking at the 2016 Ngmayem festival celebrated by the chiefs and people of the Shai-Osudoku Traditional Area in the Greater Accra Region.
"The time has come for all differences and political issues to be resolved to enhance development and push negativity away," he stated.
Economic opportunity
According to him, the chiefs and people of Shai-Osudoku had a greater chance of attracting investors and development partners into the area as the town was strategically located for development.
Nii Afotey Agbo, therefore, expressed excitement that after all the political differences, there was hope that the chiefs would continue to ensure that development issues prevailed above all others.
Government assistance
He assured the people of the government's readiness to support them through infrastructural development, health care, education and employment. He further mentioned that the government would, through its development partners, encourage investors to support the district in job creation and also improve the social needs where possible.
"We as government will continue to create the enabling environment for such investors to establish investment opportunities for our youth to earn a living," he stated.
2016 General election
The acting President of the Shai Traditional Council, Nene Nornor Sordje V, expressed his excitement about the December elections, considering the fact that it would be a test case for Ghana to show to the world that the country was peaceful and worthy of emulation.
He urged the leadership of the various political parties, youth activists and traditional rulers to exercise restraint before, during and after the elections.
Nene Sordje urged leaders of the political parties to ensure a clean, insult-free campaign devoid of acrimony.
Ngmayem festival
He said the Ngmayem festival was celebrated annually to climax the end to hunger with millet, which is the staple food for the people of Shai. The celebration also gives opportunity the indigenes in the diaspora to come home and reflect on the past and present plans to make the place comfortable for habitation.
Need for support
He commended the government for providing a 120-bed district hospital to provide health care for the people. He, however, appealed to the government to consider constructing bungalows for doctors and nurses.
He commended the government for its achievements in the educational sector, but said there was more to be done as the academic performance of the children was nothing to write home about. He called on stakeholders in the educational sector to brainstorm on ways to improve education in the area, as well as keep students in school.
Road network
Nene Sordje appealed to government to consider the construction of the Ayikuma-Doryumu to Shai Hills, Dodowa-Afienya, Doryumu-Kordiabe and Dodowa town roads, which are in a deplorable state.
He expressed disappointment that although the district had natural resources such as stones and granite chippings, they were not being utilised.
There were performances from the Dodowa Forest Talking Drum team, Shai Ladies Brass Band and a traditional performance from the priest and priestesses to herald the occasion.