GRi Arts & Culture 30 - 05 - 2002

"We will deal with anti-development elements" - Nana Conduah

Elmina (Central Region) 30 May 2002- Nana Kodwo Conduah VI, Paramount Chief of the Edina Traditional Area, on Tuesday stressed that the traditional council was determined to ensure peace in the area to facilitate socio-economic development. The Council would, therefore, ensure that people whose activities tended to hinder this goal faced the full rigours of the law.

Nana Conduah expressed regret that certain people, particularly those opposed to his rule, used the celebration of the 'Bakatue' festival, which is recognised on the world calendar of events and attracts many foreign visitors, to cause trouble, thus driving away potential investors.

''Any of such elements, who attempt to cause trouble will be handed over to the Police. No divisional chief should be seen to be shielding anyone on grounds of family relationship.'' The Paramount Chief announced that a month-long ban on drumming and noisemaking would be imposed from 4 June to 2 July, to precede the festival.

The festival would be celebrated in conjunction with the Dutch government in commemoration of the 300 years of relations between Ghana and the Netherlands. On the construction of a fishing harbour in the town, Nana Conduah said various governments "had played politics" with the project and appealed to the Ministry of Economic Planning and Regional Integration to help ensure that the Dutch government undertook the project as proposed.

He expressed concern at the rate HIV/AIDS was spreading in the area and called on members of the Council to help step up education by holding regular forums on the disease. Nana Conduah commended the Central Region Minister Mr Isaac Edumadze and Ms Christine Churcher, Member of Parliament for Cape Coast and Minister of Basic, Secondary and Girl-Child Education for their efforts at helping to contain the water crisis facing Cape Coast and its surrounding districts.

GRi…/

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