Tongo (U/E), April 11, GNA - The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Boniface Gambila, on Monday observed that Ghana could achieve much in terms of development if conflicts such as land litigation, chieftaincy, tribal and religious disputes were avoided.

He made this observation when he addressed the People's Assembly in the newly created Talensi-Nabdam District at Tongo.

He bemoaned the high rate of conflicts in the District, citing the Tongo-Beo-Gonno dispute and many others in the small-scale mining areas as examples, saying huge chunk of resources, which were being spent to maintain peace in these areas, could be channelled into development projects.

The Regional Minister implored the traditional rulers and citizens of the area to help restore peace and security to create an enabling environment for development to take place.

Mr Gambila advised the people to access credit schemes introduced by the Government through the Ghana Commercial, National Investment, and Agriculture Development Banks to set up businesses. This, he said, would help create employment for the people.

He entreated Ghanaians to vote the New Patriotic Party back to power come 2008 to enable it to continue with its good works. The District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Sebastian Bisnab, said 32 projects had so far been executed in the District between 2005 and early 2006. They include the construction of bungalows, Pavilions, KVIP latrines, Assembly Hall Complex, schools, supply of electricity poles and the reshaping of roads.

The DCE said school enrolment in the area had increased tremendously following the introduction of the Capitation Grant and called on parents who had not yet sent their children to school to do so.

Participants at the forum expressed concern about the poor road network in the district. They also repeated calls for the revamping of the defunct Pwalugu tomato factory.