Mr. Chris Kpodo, Deputy Foreign Minister, on Tuesday urged chiefs and queen-mothers to lead a crusade towards peaceful elections this year.

He said such a crusade should focus on the youth.

Mr. Kpodo made the appeal at a durbar of the chiefs and people of Anlo in honour of the new Indian High Commissioner, Mr Rajinder Bhagat and his wife at Keta.

He said the youth needed to be told that it was only through sustained peace and planning that the challenges confronting them could be overcome.

They should therefore rebuff politicians and persons who might seek to manipulate them to cause violence.

Mr. Kpodo commended the people, particularly the youth of the area for remaining peaceful and urged them to maintain the atmosphere in their own interest.

Mr. Kpodo and the High Commissioner visited the Keta Government Hospital, where he commended parents in the area for taking good care of their kids as evidenced in the almost empty 50 bed children’s ward.

Mr. Bhagat said, the Keta Municipality had benefited immensely from the Indian government support, including an Eye Clinic at the Hospital.

Mr. Baghat, and Togbe Sri III, Awomefia of Anlo, exchanged gifts at his Palace where the High Commissioner pledged his commitment to sustain the bond, which had existed between the Anlos and the High Commission.**