Lawra, Oct. 11, GNA- A traditional ruler has called for the revival of the Lawra-Jirapa-Lambussie confederation in the Lawra District of the Upper West Region, towards the settlement of all disputes and development of the area. Naa Ansoleh Ganaa, paramount chief of the Jirapa Traditional Area,

noted that the absence of such a body had resulted in the escalation of

disagreements, disunity and the underdevelopment of the area. He made the call at a durbar of chiefs and the people of the

traditional area as part of this year's Kobine festival celebration, at

Lawra on Monday. Naa Ganaa urged the people of Lawra, Jirapa and Lambussie to

come together and settle all disputes amicably and pool resources for

development to improve their standards of living. "We must collectively be responsible for the settlement of all

disputes and tackle development challenges facing our people and

mobilize the people to undertake projects to complement government's

effort." Naa Ganaa expressed worry that trees, including dawadawa and

shea butter trees were being cut for use as firewood. He called on the chiefs to formulate laws to prevent environmental

degradation to avert floods. Naa Ganaa appealed to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to

provide improved seeds for farmers because of the erratic rainfall

pattern in the area in recent times. Naa Ganaa noted that many farmers were still cultivating low

yielding and late maturing traditional crops. He advised women in the area against high intake of alcoholic

beverages and reminded them that they played a significant role in

home management and nation building. The festival is celebrated annually at the end of the farming season to give thanks to God and the ancestors in anticipation of a bumper harvest.