Kpikpira (U/E), Feb 3, GNA- The Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, has called on the Garu-Tempane District Assembly to collaborate with the chiefs and community opinion leaders to handle land disputes amicably to forestall any security situation in the area.

He noted that improper handling of land issues had destabilized the peace and stability of the District and retarded development. Alhaji Mahama made the call in a speech read on his behalf by the Bawku Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Abdul-Rahman Gumah at the second annual "Danjour" festival of Bimobas at Kpikpira near Garu. The festival is organised to honour the ancestors of Bimobas for their hard work and sacrifices.

Alhaji Mahama stressed the need for peaceful co-existence among the people to allow the sharing of ideas to facilitate rapid development and improvement of living standards.

He deplored the activities of bush burning and tree felling and urged the chiefs to hold regular meetings with the people on the dangers associated with such activities.

The Acting Deputy Defence Minister, Mr Joseph Akudibilah called on the Youth not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to foment trouble.

He said the world had reached a stage where the youth need to channel all their ideas and energies into development oriented strategies to ensure the prevalence of peace to attract investors for better living conditions in their localities.

The Nakpanduri Naba, Na Golbilla David Kansuk called on the chiefs to harness the ethnic diversity in the area for social integration in order to pool resources for development.

He said it was only through peaceful co-existence among ethnic groups that could prevent conflicts.

"Chieftaincy disputes are a major course of conflicts, let us avoid them in order to support government to develop our areas and prevent our District Assembly Common Fund from being used for peace-keeping exercises."

The Chief of Kpikpira, Dana Duncan Kulbongo in a speech read on his behalf, appealed to government and non governmental organisations to provide the new Garu-Tempane District with markets, schools, roads and healthcare facilities to make life comfortable for the people. While commending government for the provision of furniture to some schools in the area, the Chief also appealed for the posting of qualified teachers to the schools and provision of accommodation facilities for the teaching staff.