Accra, Sept 1, GNA - Factions in the chieftaincy dispute in the Lawra Traditional Area have been advised to drop their entrenched positions and compromise for a solution to enhance the development of the area.

The call was made by Mr Francis Toah, an opinion leader from the area based in Accra in a statement on Friday also signed by Mr Iwu Ziem, Tingansob - Internal and Mr Aadey Yayaa, Tingabsob - External, both leaders and owners of the land of the Lawra Shrine and Mr Bangzie Tampulu, an Elder of the Kusiele Clan. They noted that such disputes retarded development and could lead to conflicts and the loss of lives that would create instability and insecurity in the area.

Instead of farming such a situation would lead to famine and hunger as the government would have to spend its resources in managing the conflict as a result of the break down in law and order. Such a situation would also result in the under development of the area as the people could not be mobilised for socio-economic progress, the statement stated and asked the people to take a cue from other areas where disputes resulted in the people being denied their fair share of development and the national cake.

The signatories of the statement announced the postponement of the annual Kobina Festival of the landowners and people of the Lawra Traditional area, which should have been celebrated in October because of the Chieftaincy dispute in the area currently before the Judicial Committee of the Upper-West Regional House of Chiefs at Wa. They explained that this was to ensure peace and tranquillity in the area and facilitate the early resolution of the dispute to enable the people to go about their daily chores without cause or hindrance to facilitate the development of the area. They apologised to the stakeholders for the inconvenience. 1 Sept 07