Kumasi, Dec. 8, GNA - A police officer has appealed to heads of the country's Zongos to devise strategies that would enhance genuine unity and peaceful co-existence amongst the ethnic communities in the Zongos.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Nana Amankwah, the Manhyia District Police Commander in Kumasi, said it is only when unity prevails among the various ethnic groups in the Zongos that efforts at speeding up development of the areas and elimination of conflicts could be achieved.

DSP Amankwah was speaking at a ceremony held at Ayigya in Kumasi on Sunday to install a new chief for the Hausa community of Ayigya Zongo.

Alhaji Ibrahim Ali, a 60-year-old spare parts dealer at Suame Magazine, who was installed as the new chief, succeeded Alhaji Issah Bawa, who died three months ago.

The installation was conducted by Mallam Asante, Imam of Dandawa and assisted by Ashanti Regional Imam of the Gonjas, Alhaji Abdul Aziz.

Speaking after his installation Alhaji Ali commended the Hausa community for choosing him as their chief and called for co-operation to facilitate progress of the community.

He identified the lack of formal education amongst the Zongo communities as the major cause of its under-development, poverty and ignorance.

Alhaji Ali said his priority would be to establish an education fund and institute support packages to be used to encourage and promote education among children of the community.

"I am of the strong conviction that if a good number of Zongo residents are well equipped with skills and acquire formal education to a higher level, the problems of the Zongos will be eliminated."