Akyem Oda (E/R), April 15, GNA - Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo, Minister of Education and Sports, on Saturday appealed to factions engaged in the Akyem Kotoku chieftaincy dispute to use the message brought by Easter to reconcile among themselves.

He said since no community could develop in an atmosphere of disunity, "It is time to put the dispute behind you as a prerequisite for development".

Mr Osafo Maafo who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Akyem Oda was speaking as a special guest of honour at a Food Festival organised by the Akyem Kotoku Citizens Union in Accra at Akyem Oda. He announced the setting aside of funds from his share of the Common Fund to support 10 needy students in the Universities and senior secondary schools and urged interested students to avail themselves of the opportunity.

Mr Osafo Maafo appealed to the Union to use such occasions to raise funds to support brilliant but needy students in the area to further their education.

Dr Grace Bediako, Government's Statistician, who is also the President of the Union in an address said since its inception 14 years ago the Union had organised a variety of events that had aimed at promoting unity and development at Akyem Oda and its environs. She said the Akyem Kotoku Easter Food Festival sought to popularise "our foods first among us Ghanaians, our guests from other countries-far and wide and then to the world over there".

Dr Bediako called on caterers to join in the effort to market "our foods and culture as we promote tourism in the country"

The Birim South District Chief Executive, Mr Frank Kwame Busumtwi urged members of traditional caterers associations to always ensure hygienic practices at their workplaces to help promote good health. Sponsors of the programme, which showcased various kinds of Ghanaian dishes, included Accra Brewery, DOMOD Aluminium, Department of National Lotteries and Tractor and Equipment.