Traditional Authorities have been asked to refocus their festivals from “ordinary annual rituals for historical and fund fare purposes, into effective tools for development”.

Mr. James Gunu, Akatsi North District Chief Executive (DCE), making the call said unity and togetherness that festivals attracted among peoples, were good catalysts for resource pulling towards local development.

Addressing the 15th annual Agbleza, an ‘Agricultural Festival’ of the people of Atiglime, a major farming zone in the area, he commended the people for their unity and self-help efforts.

The festival, instituted in 1984, is to help unite the people, remind them of the value of agriculture and to pull resources for development.

The festival this year is to raise funds for education.

The DCE said there were no more wars; therefore, people should concentrate their energies on development to complement efforts of Government.

Mr. Gunu announced the spot by spot improvement on Hevi-Wuata-Mitsrikasa feeder road, linking the area to major roads, to ease foodstuff transportation difficulties, adding that, there was also the construction of a school block at Atiglime.

He said this was being done to improve the educational performance in the area and that 40 new teachers had been posted there.

Mr Gunu appealed to parents to guide and support their children so they do not go wayward.

Mr Gunu bemoaned the rate of teenage pregnancy and its effects on the girl child education, citing how three girls wrote this year’s BECE while pregnant and how one had to deliver in the process before completing the examinations.

He said 80 new boreholes were being sunk in the district to expand potable water.

Mr Gunu said despite current economic challenges, development projects had not been stalled and Government was working hard to satisfy all.

He advised the people to imbibe all health education on cholera and Ebola to protect themselves.

Mr Dan Bediako, an opinion leader, appealed for a foot bridge over the Gogodzi Creek to ease the movement of the people, divided by the creek, and also the dredging of the Atiglime dam for agriculture and other uses.

“Ahor Memorial Clinic”, a four-room health facility, with toilets and store room, donated to the community by Amandi Limited, a construction firm, was commissioned as part of activities marking the occasion.