Tumu, (UWR), March 14, GNA - Kuoro Richard Babini Kanton VI, Paramou= nt Chief of Tumu Traditional Area, in the Upper West Region, has cautioned smugglers of petroleum products in the area, to desist from the practice or face the law. He also asked Fulani herdsmen, whose activities posed a threat to the peace in the area, to be law abiding.

Kuoro Kanton, who issued the warning at the celebration of the "Paari-Gbielle" Festival at Tumu, in the Sissala East District, called on security personnel to intensify efforts to arrest smugglers and other economic saboteurs.

The festival, which was characterized by beautiful cultural performances, was on the theme: 93Paari-Gbielle, a Tool for Social Cohesio= n". Kuoro Kanton said because the Traditional Council realized that 93A people without culture are a people without identity", it has revived the festival, which would be celebrated in the second week of every March, to show case and promote the rich cultural heritage of the people of Sissalas. He said that to forestall chieftaincy disputes in the area, he had ensued that all vacant skins were occupied by the rightful claimants in accordance with the people's tradition.

Kuoro Kanton advised the people to refrain from negative cultural practices such as Female Genital Mutilation, widowhood rites and extravagan= t funerals, and preserve positive cultural values.

He appealed to government to construct an irrigation dam in Tumu to boost agriculture and create jobs for the youth to prevent them from migrating to the southern part of the country in search of non-existent jobs.

Kuoro Kanton asked the authorities to revamp the cotton industry in Tumu and expedite action on the tarring of the Wa-Tumu-Bolgatanga road, as promised.

He pledged the support of the Tumu Traditional Council for government to deliver on its 93Better Ghana" agenda and appealed to government to provide an office accommodation for the Traditional Council.