Naba Asigri Abugragoe Azoka II, Paramount Chief of the Bawku Traditional Area, has commended government for its continuous effort in sustaining peace at Bawku.

He said the people appreciated government’s interest and efforts at sustaining the peace, as it had brought back life to the area, which was steadily gaining back its reputation as the largest business hub in the Upper East Region.

Naba Azoka said this at the 32nd Annual Samanpiid Festival of the chiefs and people of Bawku Traditional Area, on the theme; “Harnessing the Economic, Social and Cultural Heritage of our People for the Development of Kusaug.”

He said detailing adequate security personnel to keep the peace, protect lives and property, and ensure the success of the Festival was a great move, which had contributed to making the people understand the need for peaceful coexistence with one another.

Naba Azoka said the Government’s flagship programmes, including the Planting for Food and Jobs, One Village One Dam, and fertilizer and farm inputs subsidy, among others, had increased agricultural production and thereby improved the livelihood of the people.

He urged government to extend the “Rearing for Food and Jobs” programme to the area and complete the construction of the warehouses earmarked to store farm produce for export and local consumption.

The Chief appealed for the construction of more health and educational facilities to enable more people to benefit from health services and education.

The Festival was characterised by traditional drumming and dancing, pouring of libation, traditional songs and horse dancing.

The Bawku Naba is the Overlord of the Kusaug Traditional Area (Bawku) with about 58 chiefs comprising 33 sub-chiefs and 25 divisional chiefs under his jurisdiction.

The Festival was graced by Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and former President John Dramani Mahama, the diplomatic corps, Paramount Chief of the Chiana Traditional Area, Pe Thomas Ditungidini Adiali Ayagtam III, Representative of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Sumankwahene Baffour Asabre Kogyawoasu Ababio III, and some dignitaries from neighbouring Burkina Faso and Togo.