Accra, July 5, GNA - Mr Alhasan Dramani, President of the Gonjaland Youth Association of Accra, a grouping of Gonjaland citizens in the capital, on Saturday called on members and others elsewhere to be committed to the development of their motherland.

He also urged citizens to venture into national politics and advocacy as platforms to fight ignorance, disease and poverty, which he described as common enemies of Gonjaland.

"Gonjaland is lacking behind in development because our scholars have shied away from politics in the past," Mr. Dramani he told a durbar of citizens at the Association's annual Damba festival durbar in Accra.

The theme of the durbar was "The role of Gonjaland Youth in ensuring a peaceful general election". Mr Dramani appealed to citizens of Gonjaland, home and abroad to contribute their quota to make the upcoming elections pass off peacefully.

He appealed for a presidential initiative to expand production of major crops including cashew, which he said is cultivated on a high scale in the area, to create employment for the youth. Gbeadese Amankwa I, Bolewura, who was the guest of honour at the durbar, urged the youth to be good ambassadors of Gonjaland by putting up their best wherever they find themselves. Mr. Yussif Jajah, member of the festival organising committee, said the aim of the durbar was also to help foster unity among Gonjaland citizens living in Accra and Tema.