Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) has held its first ever Merifest Festival with a call on residents to live in peace and harmony in the metropolis.

Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo, who made the call at the festival over the weekend, said every society needed a peaceful environment for the purpose of development.

He advised non-Gas who have travelled from other parts of the country to live in Accra to respect the traditions and customs of the people. Touching on Merifest Festival, he said it was a good initiative by the TMA to give an opportunity to all the tribes in Tema to showcase their traditions and culture.

Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE,) Hon. Ashai Odamtten, who gave a brief history of the festival, stated that it was initiated to bring all the tribes in the metropolis annually to showcase their customs through cultural dances.

He said there was the need to do this to showcase to the upcoming generation the need to preserve the customs and traditions rather than promoting foreign dances.

He said the Assembly is putting in place measures to develop the metropolis and to make sure it takes back its past glory as the number one well-planned city in the country.

He said during these developmental projects, all the heritage sites and abodes of the gods of the people of Tema Newtown would be protected.

Tema Mantse, Nii Adjei Krakue II, who was honoured with a plaque accompanied with a citation for his contributions to the development of Tema, called on all residents to help develop the area into a modern one.

He congratulated the MCE for initiating the Merifest Festival and hoped it will bring all tribes together to foster unity.

He also thanked the MCE for the honour done him and entreated others to emulate the TMA.

Some of the tribes who performed that day were the Dagombas, Fantes, Ashantis and the Ewes.

Merifest is the Tema Meridian Festival which has been initiated by the TMA and would be celebrated annually.