Vice President Dr. John Dramani Mahama, on Saturday commended the chiefs and people of Winneba for settling their protracted differences, and consequently reviving the Abrokyir festival.

He said, “There can be no development without peace and I am therefore happy to note that, the protracted chieftaincy disputes that put the Aboakyir festival on hold for sometime is over for us to once again enjoy this all important occasion.”

Vice President Mahama made the commendation when he joined the chiefs and people of Winneba to celebrate this year’s Aboakyir festival at Winneba, on the theme: “Peace and Unity- the key to development.”

The festival, which is celebrated annually by catching antelopes from the bush, attracted thousands of patrons within the country and beyond amidst drumming and dancing.

The revelers, mostly dressed in red and black attire, engaged in numerous traditional dances to climax the occasion.

Apart from entertaining the patrons, Aboakyir festival also brings blessings, denounces pestilence and provides the opportunity to foretell the future of the state during the ensuing year.

Vice President Mahama, hoped the peace the people were enjoying would persist to pave way for growth and development.

He said, apart from completing the emergency centre of the Winneba hospital, Government would also upgrade the facility to a strategic health centre in view of the central position it occupied between the Central and Greater Accra Regions.

He announced that, Government was also on the verge of completing an agreement with Fidelity Bank to construct a market complex at Winneba junction, and advised the people against negative tendencies that could undermine peace and unity in the area.

Mr. Mike Hammah, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, said Government had completed arrangement to establish a landing site at Winneba, and called on the people to support the project.

He said President John Evans Atta Mills had worked hard to provide adequate infrastructure throughout the country, and therefore deserved to be given another opportunity to complete his good work.

Neenyi Otubua Siripi II, Tufohen of the Effutu Traditional Area, congratulated compatriots who fought hard for the reconciliation of combatants in the Effutu chieftaincy disputes, and said the settlement of disputes had stepped up development in the area.**