Naba Azoka Asigri Abogrago II, Paramount Chief of Bawku has called on politicians to use social gatherings such as festivals to unite the people. He said politicians must also foster peace and bring about development of the country.

Naba Abogrago was speaking at the 25th annual Samanpiid festival of the chiefs and people of the area on the Theme: Consolidating peace and cultural development, in the Bawku area.”

He said as politicians compete for power, they should have in mind that the interest of the people is paramount. Naba Abogrago noted that conflict is a tool for community destruction and called on the people to live peacefully.

“Peace is therefore very important to us as a people since a breach of it sometimes brings about untold hardship to the rank and file of the people in the area,” he stressed.

He said the area had come to the end of the dark tunnel and that the people must learn to put the past behind them and live peacefully.

Naba Abogrago commended the security agencies and other peace loving organisations for their role in battling out trouble makers and the smuggling of fertiliser across the borders.

Mr Mark Wooing, Upper East Regional Minister said government would not relent in its efforts at achieving its development agenda for the area.

He said policies including the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) are championing the developmental agenda of the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions.

Mr Woyongo said a number of factories including a rice mill plant had been established by SADA to boost the socio-economic development of the people.

He said government is in the process of establishing a Shea nut Development Board in the north just as the Cocoa Marketing Board to oversee the production, processing, marketing and promotion of the industry.

The Minister asked the people to live in peace to woo investors to the area.