Ejura (Ash), Oct 17, GNA - Government realizes the important role chiefs as elder statesmen play in the country's development and has therefore created the necessary environment to allow them to contribute positively towards national growth, Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Ashanti Regional Minister, has stated.

The contribution, which the chiefs offered to the state he said, was to strengthen the bond of unity among the people. Mr Boafo said, that role to him, was one sure way to keep the flame of unity in Ghana burning.

This was contained in a speech read for him at the celebration of the Senkyire festival of the chiefs and people of the Ejura traditional area at the weekend.

Mr Boafo charged the chiefs to continue to explore new and more meaningful areas, which would ensure the harmonious co-operation, support, and participation of all citizens of the traditional area in development effort.

He said the focus of every nation; region, district or community was on socio-economic development of its people, namely the eradication of poverty, ignorance, disease, deprivation, illiteracy and environmental degradation.

The Regional Minister said "We are making a lot of sacrifices for the youth to create wealth for you. I therefore entreat you to eschew all social vices some of which promote the HIV/AIDS pandemic." He pointed out that the youth were the nation's most cherished resources and that the country could not exist without the people and there could not be growth and development without human capital. Mr Boafo expressed regret, however, that the country was faced with the problem of indiscipline, which he said was breaking down the nation's peaceful heritage proverbial in the sub-region. "Indiscipline is permeating the whole fabric of our society. Social vices like armed robbery, drug abuse, sexual promiscuity, teenage pregnancy all have their roots in indiscipline". Nana Akua Tiwaa II, Queen Mother of Ejura, said the traditional council had been supporting educational programmes and business promotions in the area.

She said the council was in direct partnership with the development initiatives of Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and fully participate in all the initiatives that are brought to the traditional area.

Nana Tiwaa said through these initiatives the traditional area could boost of basic health care programmes and named three towns, Ejura, Dromankoma and Beme as towns that had benefited from educational facilities.

She appealed to the government to provide a children's ward at the Ejura Government Hospital and undertake a total rehabilitation of the Hospital.