Techiman (B/A), March 9, GNA - Oseadeeyo Akumfi-Ameyaw IV, Omanhene of Techiman Traditional Area, has asked supporters of political parties to refrain from reprisal attacks on each other and unite in addressing socio-economic challenges confronting their communities. He said post-election attacks and intimidation of each other had the potency to destabilize the peace in the country.

Oseadeeyo Akumfi-Ameyaw was addressing the 52nd Independence anniversary parade of school children and identifiable groups at Techiman on Friday. The anniversary was under the theme: "Unity and peace: pillars of national development."

Oseadeeyo Akumfi-Ameyaw commended the peace council in Techiman Municipality for resolving all conflicts before the 2008 elections and urged it to continue to manage post-election conflicts especially between supporters of New Patriotic Party and National Democratic Congress. Oseadeeyo Akumfi-Ameyaw urged political parties not to waste their energies on conflicts but to rally behind the new government to address unemployment, water and sanitation and environmental problems.

In a speech read for him Mr. Kwadwo Nyamekye Marfo, Regional Minister, urged the school children not to yield to peer pressure but to focus on their education to become useful adults.

Mr. Addai Simons, MP for Techiman South, later donated a set of jerseys and football each to Kromo Presby Primary 'B', St. Francis Junior High School and Our Lady of Mount Camel Senior High School for placing first in their categories in the march past participated attended by 73 schools. He disclosed that the donation was financed from the MP's share of the common fund at the cost of GH¢750 to help promote sporting activities in the municipality.

At Nkoranza, Mr Peter Akwasi Denteh, Superintendent in-charge of the Nkoranza District Police and Mr. James Appiah-Manu, Deputy District Director of Education took the salute at the Independence celebration parade of school children and voluntary organisations. A contingent of 1,000 pupils and students from 40 schools made up of 22 primary schools, 15 junior high schools and three senior high schools participated in the march past at the Nkoranza town park. Okatakyie Agyemang Kudom IV, Omanhene of Nkoranza and his elders, as well as Assembly Members, religious leaders and a large crowd of people witnessed the programme.

Mr. Yaw Gyedu Nuako, Nkoranza South District Co-ordinating Director, who is the acting District Chief Executive emphasised the need for the people to remain united to promote the development of the district. "Development can only take place in a peaceful and stable political and social environment", he said.

Mr. Nuako commended the people in the area for comporting themselves well during the 2008 general election, making the event incident-free in all communities. The District Coordinating Director expressed regret about the alarming rate of the HIV/AIDS among the youth and called on religious leaders, traditional rulers, teachers, Assembly Members and opinion leaders to join the educational campaign against the spread of the disease.