Nana Kaakari Appau II, Paramount Chief of the Asante-Bekwai Traditional Area, on Sunday appealed to his people to overcome the pain and bitterness of the past and ensure peace for development.

He said it would be difficult to achieve progress if they continued to nurse old wounds and remained deeply divided.

Nana Appau was speaking at an inter-denominational church service at his palace at Bekwai organised by the Bekwai Development Committee.

The Omanhene observed that years of bitter dispute over the paramount stool had virtually stifled the self-help spirit of the people and stalled socio-economic development.

Nana Appau, therefore, appealed to all and sundry to open a new chapter of cooperation to regain the past glory, adding: "We have to reconcile with one another so that we can reconcile with our creator."

He said his plan for the area included the award of scholarships to brilliant but needy pupils and students to promote education, development of the Bekwai Gyamfi Park, expansion of the district hospital and the building of a community centre to improve the lives of the people.

The Reverend S.B. Antwi, Minister incharge of the Presbyterian Church at Bekwai, asked Christians to encourage the people to live in peace and harmony and condemned those who engaged in activities that resulted in tension and confusion.

He said, "There are instances where these people attempted carrying over such confusion even to the church."

Rev Antwi called on the people to support the Omanhene and the Development Committee to implement projects earmarked for the area.