Takoradi, August 16, GNA- Mr Joseph Boahen Aidoo, Western Regional Minister, on Sunday advised people in the region to avoid disputes and concentrate on the development of the area.

He was speaking at a non-denominational thanksgiving service to round off the weeklong Western Region Homecoming Summit in Takoradi. Mr Aidoo said development of the region was lacking because of numerous litigations and chieftaincy disputes and unless they were, the region would continue to be underdeveloped.

Reverend S. E. Ampiaw, Vice Chairman of Sekondi-Takoradi Christian Council of Churches, said selfishness, oppression, mismanagement of public funds, land and chieftaincy disputes were some of the factors affecting the development of the region.

Preaching the sermon on the theme: "The New Community of God called into oneness", said the region was not prospering much despite its abundant natural and human resources because of divisions. Reverend Ampiaw said there was even disunity in churches and among pastors of the various Christian bodies, adding that people read more into the actions of pastors than their preaching.

He urged the Church to live up to expectation and unite the people to promote development of the region.

Papa Owusu Ankomah, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, who is also the Member of Parliament for Sekondi, read the first scripture while Mr Philip Kwesi Nkrumah, Shama-Ahanta East Metropolitan Chief Executive, read the second one.

Earlier, Mrs Gladys Asmah, Minister of Women and Children's Affairs, had reviewed a parade mounted by the Boys and Girls Brigade. She said the country would make great strides if children obeyed the word of God.

Mrs Asmah, therefore, urged children to join religious organisations to understand the teachings of Jesus Christ.