Kpalworgo (U/R), April 14, GNA - Mr. Mahmud Khalid, Upper West Regional Minister, has urged members of the Yarisi/Saamune/Kantosi Association (YASAKAG) to co-exist peacefully with other ethnic groups in the country. He urged them to be law abiding and exhibit good behaviour in the communities they live in for other people to emulate them to sustain peace and enhance development. Mr. Khalid said this at the 2nd Annual Conference of the Association at Kpalworgo in the Wa East District on Monday. He called for the rekindling of the cultural practices and values in the youth who had now developed interest in foreign cultures. "Let us reinforce the value of culture in our youth and bring back basic tenets such as respect for one another, respect for the elderly and love for each other", he said. Mr. Khalid urged the members to keep their environment clean to reduce the incidence of malaria and other preventable diseases. He appealed to them to be worried about the high infant and maternal deaths in the country and to give more attention to children and pregnant women by encouraging them to attend health facilities. Mr. Khalid reiterated the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government's determination to ensure equal development for all communities in the country.

He mentioned the establishment of the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority as an important strategy to stimulate the development of the north and improve the living conditions of the people.

He urged the youth to position themselves appropriately and to take advantage of the policies and programmes of the government to improve on their income levels. Alhaji Adams Iddris, the Regional Representative of the association, said the Kpalworgo area was has arable land that could be used to increase agricultural production. He appealed to the government to provide the community with electricity and potable water as well as micro-finance credit facilities to help the people to increase their income. Mr. Iddris also appealed for the establishment of a clinic and a junior high school.