Adukrom-Akuapem (E/R), Dec. 31, GNA - The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr Joe Ghartey, has appealed to Ghanaians to protect the peace Ghana was enjoying since conflicts had never benefited any country or society.

He said conflicts led to destruction of lives, property and resources that could have been used for development.

"As Ghana prepares to enter an election year, political parties should see themselves as political opponents and to conduct their campaigns peacefully without bitterness, rancour, hatred and violence," Mr Ghartey said at a durbar of chiefs and people of Adukrom-Akuapem to climax their Odwira Festival on Saturday.

He said over the past few years, Ghana had seen unprecedented growth and development in democratic governance, health, education and the economy.

"The independent institutions of governance continue to play

their role in society and the judiciary is strong and independent

and continuously taking steps to increase access to justice." The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Afram-Asiedu,

commended chiefs in the area for their role in bringing the

people together as agents of change, development and in the

maintenance of law and order. He called for a close working relationship between the

governance structures and the traditional authorities if the

people's development goals and aspirations were to be achieved. Mr Afram-Asiedu said his office and the Regional Security

Council were working hard to resolve the boundary dispute

between Okereman and Yilo Krobo Traditional Area. The chief of Adukrom, Osuodumgya Otutu Kono III,

appealed to political parties to conduct their campaigns in a

peaceful atmosphere devoid of insults. He urged the Electoral Commission to take measures that

would ensure credible elections. Osuodumgya Otutu Kono commended the government for the

construction of the Adenta/Akuapem road and appealed for

rehabilitation of some feeder roads in the area.