Akim Oda, Oct 13, GNA - The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Yaw Barimah, has reminded chiefs in the Akim Kotoku Traditional Area of the negative effects of petty squabbles on their development and urged them to unite towards the speedy development of the area. He asked them to reflect on the negative effects of the seven-year chieftaincy dispute on the development of the area and urged them to put the dispute behind them as a pre-requisite for development. Mr Barimah made the call when addressing a durbar of the chiefs and people of the area on Wednesday as part of his familiarization tour of the region.

He said it was time chiefs used their power positively to help promote development in their areas instead of engaging in activities that stifle progress. Mr Barimah advised the youth in the area not to hide behind the concept of rule of law to exhibit indiscipline and disrespect towards their elders.

Obrempong Asare Antwi-Peasah, Gyaasehene of Akim Kotoku, urged the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to involve traditional authorities in decision making and implementation of development projects in their communities.

This, he explained, would enable the chiefs be abreast with developments in their areas and take the initiative to lead their people to monitor their implementation and offer communal labour. The Gyaasehene called on the Government to adequately resource traditional councils by increasing revenue that accrued to them from stool lands and other natural resources in their areas. Obrempong Affum Afronteng IV, Adontenhene of Akim-Kotoku appealed to the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council to help solve the chieftaincy dispute in the area for peace to prevail.