Abiriw Akuapem, July 27, GNA - A mini durbar of the chiefs and people of Abiriw in the Akuapem North District, was held on Tuesday to climax this year's annual yam festival.

The festival is celebrated in July every year to outdoor the new yam for the people.

Until the celebration of the festival, nobody is permitted to bring new yam into any part of the Akuapem area.

Nana Kwame Henaku I, Abiriwhene, said even though the festival attracted low patronage, its importance and significance could not be over-emphasized.

He urged the people to use the festival to unite as a prerequisite for developing the town.

Nana Henaku expressed worry about the falling standard of education in the area, and attributed it to lack of parental control and copying of certain lifestyles by the youth.

He urged parents not to spend their money on expensive funerals to the neglect of their children's education and their developmental needs.

Nana Henaku appealed to all citizens of Abiriw both home and abroad, to come home and contribute to the development agenda of the town.

Mr Enoch Aboagye Larbi, a member of Abiriw Adakasu Council and Chairman of the Festival Planning Committee, said the council had drawn up a programme to ensure that the development agenda of the town was executed accordingly.

He said education, which was the bedrock of every development programme, would take the centre stage of their planning.

Mr Larbi appealed to the people to support the Council to achieve the set objectives.