Genuine support needed for development - Kufuor

President John Agyekum Kufuor on Saturday, said with genuine and enthusiastic support of Ghanaians, the path being pursued by the government for the country's development would lead to a rapid expansion of the economy.

"My government has laid down a path for the development of the country. This path will lead to rapid expansion of our economy if we have the genuine and enthusiastic support of all the people," he said. President Kufuor was addressing a durbar of the chiefs and people of the Peki Traditional Area to mark their annual Gbidukorza festival at Peki, in the Kpando District.

The celebration, which is alternated between the people of Hohoe and Peki, was instituted to consolidate unity between the two communities. The durbar also marked the 40th anniversary of the enstoolment of Togbe Kwadzo Dei XI, as Deiga of the Peki Traditional Area. He was enstooled on May 8,1961.

President Kufuor asked the people of the Volta Region to join in the march to create wealth and sustainable development, adding, "This government has opened its arms to you. I expect that you in turn will give us your wholehearted support. This is the time to resolve to work together for a happy future".

He urged the people especially the chiefs to establish structures of dialogue to deal with the problems in the area. President Kufuor said the Peki area was well noted for the people's exceptional intellectual capabilities, which he said was worthy of commendation and paid glowing tributes to Dr Ephraim Amu, a renowned musicologist and Dr Esther Ocloo, an industrialist and entrepreneur, both deceased.

The legacy of Dr Amu as a cultural icon would never fade and now that his image would be on a national currency, every Ghanaian would have to take to heart his visionary ideas of self-reliance and confidence in the country's culture.

Togbe Dei called on the chiefs in the area to learn from the bitter lessons of the past and dedicate themselves to the mobilisation of their people for a "new war" against ignorance, disease and poverty. "We must wage a relentless war for economic development and peace in the country," he added.

Togbe Dei said a Peki Development Plan to improve on the infrastructure and human resource development, provision of basic social amenities and other measures to create wealth and improve on their living standards had been initiated by the people and appealed to the government for support. Mr Bernard Duose, President of the Peki Union, regretted that the area had many people with very high intellectual capabilities but their achievements had not reflected in its development.

He appealed to citizens of the area to translate their knowledge and experience to create wealth for the people and the youth. Togbe Gabusu VI, Paramount Chief of Gbi Traditional Area, called on the youth not to use such occasions for immoral practices, which were detrimental to their future. Togbe Gabusu who is the President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, appealed to traditional rulers to spearhead the campaign against the HIV/AIDS menace.