Sunyani, Jan. 01, GNA - Okatakyie Agyeman Kudom 1V, Omanhene of Nkoranza Traditional Area has appealed to chiefs and opinion leaders to ensure that the country's 50th independence anniversary was celebrated peacefully in their communities.

He said the 2004 Presidential and Parliamentary elections was conducted in a peaceful manner therefore; celebration of the country's Golden Jubilee anniversary nation-wide must also be devoid of any incidents.

Okatakyie Kudom who is also President of Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, made the appeal when delivering a New Year message broadcast live on an FM Radio, BAR of Ghana Broadcasting Corporation in Sunyani on Monday.

He commended chiefs for their efforts towards peaceful elections in 2004 and was optimistic they would redouble their efforts to ensure peace and stability during the celebrations.

"Fifty years of the existence of a nation is a memorable landmark and it is incumbent on all Ghanaians as we celebrate the anniversary to soberly reflect on their duties and responsibilities towards accelerated national development," he added.

Okatakyie Kudom advised the youth to be circumspect in their activities and lifestyles to avoid unnecessary mishaps and urged drivers to drink after work.

He commended Government for introducing the Capitation Grant and the School Feeding Programmes that had relieved parents but cautioned that all and sundry should complement Government's efforts in the provision of quality education to children.

Okatakyie Kudom urged chiefs in his area to initiate educational endowment funds to assist brilliant but needy students in their education to save them from dropping out of school to the streets. He appealed to chiefs and contestants to stools to pursue arbitration in the resolution of the 51 chieftaincy disputes pending before the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs instead of the law courts since the house was yet to have a counsel.

The Nkroanzahene appealed to chiefs and opinion leaders to educate the people to guard against setting bushfires during the harmattan to save farms, houses, properties and human lives from destruction. He advised the people to register with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) for quality and affordable health care delivery while they eschew immoral acts to contract HIV/AIDS.

In another development, Mr James Kwabena Appiah-Awuah, Nkoranza District Chief Executive in a New Year message delivered through the Ghana News Agency, commended Heads of Departments in the district for their co-operation, support and urged them to maintain the spirit for the accelerated development of the district.

He expressed appreciation for the efforts of all workers during last year, saying their individual contributions and activities assisted to enhance development of the communities.

The DCE exhorted the people to work harder in 2007 to increase productivity and called on assembly members and traditional authorities to mobilize the people to initiate development projects to attract support from the assembly and non-governmental organisations. Mr Appiah-Awuah urged the people to pay their taxes to enable the assembly initiate and complete more development projects in the communities. 01 Jan. 07