Techiman, (B/A) Oct. 18, GNA - A recent upsurge in land disputes that had hindered development in the Bawku Traditional Area have been controlled through the collaborative efforts of traditional rulers, civil administrators and the security agencies.

The Bawku Naba, Asigiri Abugrago Azoka II, Paramount Chief of Kusaug and President of the Bawku Traditional Council, made the remark while inaugurating the Techiman branch of the Kusasi Youth Association at Techiman over the weekend.

The programme on the theme: "Uniting Kusaug for development - the role of the youth", brought together over 1,500 Kusasis from Brong Ahafo and some parts of the Ashanti Region.

Naba Azoka said there had been absolute peace in the area and urged stakeholders to educate the people, against the dangers of conflicts as they retarded development.

He said the birth of the Kusasi Youth Association in the country could be linked to the birth of a baby, which symbolized hope for the future and asset for the continuation of the family.

He stressed that since the association served as a means of uniting members and promoting their welfare in various capacities they should help project the cultural identity of the people from Kusaug.

Nana Azoka urged them to revisit their cultural values to enable Kusasis to regain their lost identity saying that the culture of the people was one way of uniting the people.

The Paramount Chief asked Kusasis to contribute towards the development of communities where they lived as well as their home areas to enhance their standards of living.

He said for the Association to be useful and vibrant they should cooperate and be prepared to make regular contributions toward its running.

He announced that the Bawku Naba Education Endowment Fund set up two years ago, which was aimed at assisting brilliant but needy students especially girls had yielded fruitful results towards the provision of dormitory accommodation in deprived senior secondary schools at Tempane and Kusanaba.

He urged business entrepreneurs as well as Non-Governmental Organizations to contribute towards the fund.

Nana Antwi-Boasiako, Akyeamehene of the Techiman Traditional Area who deputized for the Omanhene, Oseadeayo Ameyaw-Akumfi IV, called on the people to be wary of the household disease HIV/AIDS.

He advised them to work conscientiously to enhance the sustainability of the association without dabbling in politics.

Mr. Anaba Adam Moro, Chairman of Kusasi Youth Association, said the association, which was formed in 2000 with only 15 members had soared to 150 with the prime objective of uniting Kusasis and to improve the infrastructure base and quality of life of people in the Municipality.