The Chiefs and elders of the Sumbrungu Traditional area have commended the Peace Advocates and Voluntary Organizers' Association(PAVOA), a local based NGO, for advocating to reduce the abuse of alcohol and other drug related substances among the youth in the area,

Naba Ayitibo Nsoh, Chief of Agusi, near Sumbrungu who made the commendation on behalf the Chiefs and people at Sumbrungu during a Peace Programme and the launch of traditional songs on Wednesday, said the traditional Council was so happy about the good job done by the NGO, stressing “alcohol consumption among the people especially the youth has reduced drastically in this area”.

The Chief said apart from the NGO contributing to the reduction of alcohol and drug related abuses among the youth and the promotion of peace in the area, it had also empowered many women in income generation activities including basket weaving and urged the NGO to continue with its good works.

“We, the chiefs in Sumbrungu pledge our continuous support for PAVOA for its tireless efforts at working to reduce alcohol abuse, promotion of peace and the reduction of hunger in the area.”

The Chief also used the occasion to appeal to the Government to establish a senior high school at Sumbrungu to absorb the products of the Junior High School as well as provide a police station to help combat crime in the society.

Ms Judith Nyaba Apana, Director of Women Affairs of PAVOA, appealed to the people to continue to sustain the peace in the area so as to help lure investors to accelerate development.

The Director cited Bawku for instance and said but for the conflict, Bawku which was among the high revenue mobilization municipalities in the country, could have been developed far better than its current state.

She cautioned the youth not to allow themselves to be used to foment trouble, stressing that when it comes to conflicts women and children were usually most affected.

The Director, who impressed upon women to continue to play their role as caretakers of the home and the elderly, as well as the marginalized, said they will be rewarded in due cause.

Ms Apana said over the years, PAVOA had undertaken many activities including the promotion of peace, empowerment of women and the youth, poverty reduction, rural infrastructure development, the promotion of African culture and the conservation of natural resources.

She said one of the remarkable achievements of her outfit was the rejuvenation of the extended family system which was getting extinct in most communities and stressed that POVOA would continue to promote peace and other related development issues at the community level.

As part of activities marking the occasion, the women group composed many traditional songs that preached against ethnicity, religious and political intolerance. The songs also criticized negative acts such as backbiting, rumour mongering, and laziness.

The occasion brought together men and women, youth and traditional leaders, from different ethnic, political and religious groups to participate in the event geared towards fostering unity and cohesion.