Akropong-Akuapem (E/R), Sept. 23, GNA - The First Lady, Mrs Theresa Kufuor, has urged men to see women as partners in the development of the nation and not as competitors. She explained that it was only when both men and women had equal access to available opportunities and work hard that the country would attain the glory that it deserved.

This was contained in a speech read on her behalf by the Minister of Women and Children's Affairs, Hajia Alima Mahama, at this year's Odwira durbar of the chiefs and people of the Akuapem Traditional Area at Akropong-Akuapem on Friday. This year's Akuapem Odwira coincided with the 40th anniversary of the enstoolment of the Okuapehemaa, Nana Dokua, hence the dedication of the festival to women in development on the theme: "Woman, a dependable partner in development."

Mrs Kufuor entreated all eligible voters to vote for women in the forthcoming district assembly and unit committee elections and advised women who would win the elections and those in positions of trust to work hard to become role models for other women to advance the cause of society.

The Minister of State in-charge of Chieftaincy, Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, called on the people of Akuapem to use the occasion to resolve their differences and work together to build a happy society.

In a welcoming address, the Okuapehene, Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa the third, thanked the government for responding to his request for the tarring of roads in the Akropong township and expressed the hope that by next year all the roads in the township would be tarred. He paid tribute to the various developmental activities that Nana Dokua had undertaken in the traditional area during her 40-year reign and called on women to use the occasion to check their wards against teenage pregnancy and activities that could expose them to the HIV/AIDS disease.

Nana Addo Dankwa announced that, as part of her anniversary, Nana Dokua would be launching a foundation to raise funds to support the Children's Ward of the Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital at Mampong-Akuapem.

Despite two heavy rainfalls which nearly marred the durbar, the pomp and pageantry associated with the durbar were maintained.