Queen expresses worry about conflicts

Maase (E/R), Dec. 11, GNA - Mamaga Ngoyifiaga Akosua, a development queen in the

SASA Traditional Area of the Volta Region, has expressed worry about tribal conflicts and

numerous chieftaincy disputes in the country. She said those negative developments were hindering the development of infrastructure in

affected communities. Mamaga Akosua was inaugurating a 50,000 Euro clinic she constructed at Maase in the East

Akyem Municipality. The queen, who is a German, said because of her experiences in living in a divided country

for a long time, she brought in the idea of connecting different areas in Ghana and had started

with an Ewe/Ashanti project. She said the Ewe/Ashanti project arose from discussions and interactions she had with the

youth in her community in SASA Traditional Area and other parts of the country. Mamaga Akosua said most of the youth were disillusioned, angry and frustrated by the ethnic

hatred and tensions being created by some politicians and opinion leaders in the country. "They were concerned that Ghana was being polarized particularly after last year's election

thus raising serious concerns and issues about national unity." She said the project would be extended to other areas in Ghana, especially where there are

serious tribal conflicts. Ms Justina Fosu, Acting East Akyem Municipal Director of Health Services, said extending

the coverage of basic and primary health care services to all Ghanaians was the major objective

of the Ministry of Health. She said in order to achieve that objective it would be necessary to engage the co-operation

and authorization of the people themselves at the community level A former Ghana's Ambassador to Germany, Mr Grant O. Kesse, appealed to communities

to initiative self-help projects to accelerate the pace of development instead of always looking

up to the government to provide them with all their basic needs.