Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has urged Ghanaians to unite and foster relations with each other to ensure the speedy growth of the country’s developmental agenda.

“Without unity, there can’t be peace and without peace, there can’t be development. We have a reputation for peace in the midst of turbulence in the region – and we must strive to maintain it,” noted the former President.

According to Mr. Kufuor, maintaining peace in the country is a shared responsibility that needs the involvement of everyone.

He, therefore, cautioned the country not to fall into a conflict either in religious, tribal or through party politics.

The former President made these observations through his Spokesperson, Frank Agyekum, when he addressed the chiefs and people of Ekumfi Ekrawfo in the Ekumfi District in the Central Region last Saturday, at a ceremony to climax this year’s Akwambo Festival.

Commenting further, the former President urged the indigenes of the area, especially parents, to take education seriously and send their wards to school because the future and sustainability of the country largely depend on the enlightened.

He commended the community for their continuous investment in education, especially with regards to their priority in constructing a computer laboratory for students in the area.

He made a cash donation of Ghc1,000 towards the developmental agenda of the community and further promised to assist the completion of the computer laboratory project.

The Chief Executive Officer of Ashgold Football Club, Kujo Fianoo, who was the guest of honour of the event reiterated Mr. Kufuor’s call for the people to take education seriously.

He promised to reward the best JHS candidate who will excel in the West Africa Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSSCE) each year.

As a sign of goodwill, Mr. Fianoo also donated Ghc500 and fifteen bags of cement towards the development of the community.

The District Chief Executive of the area, Ibrahim Dawson, on his part urged the community to use such event as a forum to discuss the developmental project needs of the people.

He also advised the youth to use the platform the festival provides to learn the culture of the people.

He said the Ekumfi District Assembly would keep on engaging the traditional council in decisions to ensure the smooth progress of the community.

He, however, pleaded with nananom (traditional council), to release lands for the construction of pipelines to connect the area with potable water from the Essakyir Water Project.