Sunyani (B/A) Sept. 29, GNA - There has been a marked socio-economic development in Sunyani during the 25 years reign of Nana Bosoma Asor Nkrawiri II, Omanhene of Sunyani and President of Sunyani Traditional Council.

Nana Sarbeng Ababio II, Akwamuhene of Sunyani made the observation at the launch of Nana Nkrawiri's Silver Jubilee celebration in Sunyani. The celebration of the anniversary, according to a programme released by the planning committee, will last from November 4 to 27, this year.

It will be under the theme, "Sanitation - a key to sustainable socio-economic development".

Nana Nkrawiri succeeded Nana Kwaku Yeboah. The Akwamuhene said the celebration would enable the Omanhene and the traditional council to take stock of the general administrative performance of the 25 years' reign of Nana Nkrawiri as Sunyanihene and Omanhene.

Nana Sarbeng noted that through hard-work, Nana Nkrawiri, supported by the traditional council, Municipal Assembly and other stakeholders, had contributed in no small measure to the socio- economic well-being of the area.

"Sunyani town can now boast of a new market, known as the Bosoma Market, a new Palace under construction and regional offices of the Centre for National Culture (CNC)", he added. The chief said Nana Nkrawiri also played an active role in the expansion of health care facilities in the region, including the establishment of the ultra-modern new regional hospital in Sunyani. Nana Sarbeng emphasized that under the Local Government assessment, Sunyani was voted the second best in the country, in terms of cleanliness, after Bolgatanga.

Nana Sarbeng said as part of the decongestion exercise in the Municipality, the traditional council expected the Municipal Assembly to resettle dealers in cultural artifacts in the municipality at the Centre.

Mr. Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, Deputy Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister noted, amid applause, that there was no serious chieftaincy litigation in the Sunyani traditional council, as in some parts of the region. He commended Nana Nkrawiri, Nana Yaa Nyamaa, Queen-mother and other members of the council for maintaining the peace and stability in Sunyani.

The Deputy Regional Minister expressed dissatisfaction with the attitude of prominent persons, who besieged his office pleading for relatives affected by the Municipal Assembly's decongestion exercise in the municipality.

"Such approaches make the implementation of the exercise difficult", Mr. Baffour-Awuah said and called for an end to the practice.

He commended the planning committee for picking sanitation as the theme for the celebration, saying education as well as the good health of the people were equally important. Nana Nkrawiri appealed to the government to allocate a percentage Of the Assemblies Common Fund to any paramount chief residing within the Metro, Municipal and District Assemblies, to facilitate the execution of development projects.

He noted that chiefs play a crucial role in local governance, citing the participation of chiefs in health and educational development.

The Omanhene paid tribute to President John Agyekum Kufuor, for responding positively to a request for the government to complete the theatre complex at the CNC. "Today, work is progressing steadily on the project and it will be a great honour to the people of this region if on completion it would be named after an illustrious citizen of this region, possibly Dr. K.A. Busia, (Former Prime Minister) in recognition of his pioneering role in instituting liberal democracy in Ghana", Nana Nkrawiri said. Nana Nkrawiri also commended the government for its efforts to build a dam over River Tano to boost water supply in Sunyani. He acknowledged the support of the Regional Coordinating Council, the Regional House of Chiefs and others for the Planning Committee of the Silver Jubilee.

Okatakyie Agyemang Kudom, Omanhene of Nkoranza and President of Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs presided over the function, which fetched 43.1 million cedis in an appeal for funds. Sept. 29 05