Nsein(W/R), Oct. 08, GNA - Mr Anthony E. Amoah, Western Regional Minister on Saturday called on chiefs to use festivals to unite their people and raise funds for development projects.

He said festivals should not only be used for merry making but as a period for stock-taking to transform the people to be productive and self-reliant.

Mr Amoah made the call in an address read on his behalf at a durbar to round off the annual Kundum festival of the Chiefs and people of Nsein at Nsein.

He advised the youth not to engage in social vices and acts during the festivities but should soberly reflect on their activities the previous year and find alternative solutions to challenges confronting their communities.

Mr Amoah said revival of communal spirit and their desire to improve on their living standards should be paramount in their activities.

Awulae Agyefi Kwame II, Omanhene of Nsein Traditional Area, said 28 youths had acquired 40 hectares to undertake agriculture under the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP).

He said they had so far planted 1,000 oil palm seedlings and 3,000 plantain suckers with the assistance of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

Awulae Kwame said results of the Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE) in the district were discouraging and called on teachers, parents and the communities to collaborate to reverse the trend.

He commended management of Ghana Rubber Estates Limited (GREL) for sponsoring six students to the second cycle institutions. Nana Kodwo Kru II, Omanhene of Komenda Traditional Area and Assistant Headmaster of Nsein Secondary School advised parents to make education of their children a priority. He noted that refusal of parents to reprimand and discipline their truant children had accounted for their poor performance in the BECE results.

Nana Kru asked the people to register with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to enable them access quality and affordable health care.

He suggested that Kundum festival should be made more popular through marketing and invitation of tourists to participate. 08 Oct. 06