Daboya, (N/R), April 15, GNA - Mr Abu-bakar Saddique Boniface, Northern Regional Minister, has urged traditional authorities and politicians to use their influence to create job opportunities for their people instead of dissipating their resources in conflicts.

He said, "the common enemies of the people are poverty, illiteracy, disease and ignorance, so if you have money or power and authority use them to create wealth and employment for the people".

Mr Boniface was addressing the annual general meeting of the Gonja Traditional Council at Daboya in the West Gonja District on Thursday. He appealed to the people of Gonjaland to live in peace with one another, saying, "in this era of globalisation conquest is no longer through violence means but through diplomacy and peaceful co-existence". The Regional Minister deplored the increasing environmental degradation in Gonjaland, especially the felling of trees for charcoal burning.

He also decried the use of poisonous chemicals and dragnets for fishing, a situation, which he said threatened the depletion of the fish stock in the rivers.

Mr Boniface urged farmers in the area to take advantage of the President's Special Initiative on Sorghum and Cotton, to improve upon their incomes and the living standards of their families.

To this end, he urged the chiefs to release land for those who want to cultivate these crops.

The Yagbon-wura, Doshie Bawah Abudu I, King of Gonjaland registered his displeasure at the slow pace of work by the contractor on the Busunu-Tachelli road.

He said: "the contractor is working as if he is doing the work for charity", and pleaded with the Regional Minister to intervene to ensure the speedy completion of the project.

Yagbon-wura Doshie said, considering the industrious nature of the people of Daboya, the reconstruction of the road was a major concern to Gonjaland.

He explained that the project would promote tourism in the area and help boost the local cloth weaving industry, thereby creating jobs for the youth.

He also appealed to the government to review the lease of the Mole Game Reserve, which he said attracted low compensation for the traditional authorities.

The Wasipe-wura, Anyane Kabasagya I, Paramount Chief of the Daboya Traditional Area, appealed to his sub-chiefs to avoid land litigation and promote peace and development in the area.

He appealed to the Government to construct a bridge over the "white Volta" to facilitate the movement of people and goods to marking centres.

Mr Justice Gbiel-Simmon Suuraareh, a Tamale High Court Judge, swore in 48-members of the Traditional Council who would be selected to serve in various committees of the Council. 15 April 05