Abrem Berase (C/R), April 10, GNA - Deputy Central Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur, on Saturday deplored the situation where some communities have allowed political and chieftaincy differences to retard the development of their areas.

He stressed that there was the need for all communities to eschew such negative tendencies as laziness and apathy to enable them to work in concert towards improving their social and economic conditions. Nana Arthur expressed this concern at a durbar of chiefs and the people of Abrem-Berase in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) district. The durbar was to install Nana Obrempong Asamoah IV, a health official based in the Netherlands, as 'Abakomahen' of the Abrem traditional area.

Nana Arthur warned that such negative behaviour discouraged potential investors and appealed to the people to consider their development of the area paramount and unite towards that purpose. The District Chief Executive, Mr George Frank Asmah, repeated calls on parents and guardians to take advantage of the capitation grant and send their children to school.

He briefed the durbar on policies of the government, including the National Health Insurance Scheme, and urged those who had not yet registered to do so.

Nana Kyirwia Kodie IV, Omanhen of Eguafo traditional area, appealed for help towards early completion of the road leading to the town. This, he hoped, would facilitate transportation of foodstuffs to the marketing centres.

He appealed for the extension of the NEPAD school feeding programme to the town.

The newly installed chief called for peace and unity among the people and urged them to ensure that they train and educate their children to become useful citizens.

He promised to woo investors to the area, as well as use his expertise as a "health information officer, community developer and trainer" to improve living conditions in the town.