Sankore (B/A), Sept. 28, GNA - Mr. Eric Opoku, Brong-Ahafo Deputy Regional Minister, has appealed to the people of Sankore to bury their political differences and demonstrate unity of purpose so they could initiate projects.

He said Election 2008 was over and all forms of acrimony and petty squabbles that characterized it should be discarded to promote peace. The Deputy Minister expressed worry that Sankore lagged behind in development as compared to other towns in the district because of political hostilities and appealed to the people to resort to dialogue to settle their differences.

Mr. Opoku said this when he addressed the chiefs and people of Sankore at a sod cutting ceremony for the construction of a senior high school in the town.

The main project, comprising a two-storey building and four unit classroom blocks with office, stores and library, is expected to be completed in eight months.

Mr. Opoku said the people of the area started the project in 1998 and built a three-unit classroom block through communal labour for the Sankore Senior High School but lack of funds stifled the effort. He said the first enrolment would take off in October and Sankore Traditional Council had provided accommodation for teachers and the district assembly would also provide teaching and learning materials. Mr Opoku expressed concern about the abysmal performance of students and the increasing rate of school dropouts in the area and appealed to the traditional council to support the district assembly to enact bye-laws that would deter school children from attending social functions especially at night. Alhaji Collins Dauda, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, reminded the people that without peace and unity they would not enjoy any development. He appealed to the Sankore Traditional Council to avoid chieftaincy disputes and active partisan politics and rather to focus on issues that would promote development of the area. Alhaji Dauda said a re-forestation project would start on January next year and appealed to the council to make land available for the programme. Okogyeadee Yaw Adusei III, Omanhene of Sankore who presided, commended the government and gave assurance of the traditional council's support towards the completion of the project. He appealed to the government to upgrade the Sankore Health Center into a hospital and also to rehabilitate roads. 28 Sept 09