Winneba enters Sister City relationship with US city

Winneba, Dec 8, GNA - The Effutu Municipal Assembly has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the city of Charlottesville in the US fo= r a sister city relationship.

Mr Mike Hammah, the Member of Parliament for Effutu, said this in a speech read on his behalf at a workshop organized by Winneba Peace Initiative, a group of some concerned citizens who seek promote peace in the municipality.

The two-day workshop for the youth and women's groups was organized in collaboration with German Development Co-operation and was a follow-up to= a similar one organized for chiefs and leaders of Asafo companies to draw u= p a road map for absolute peace in Winneba. Mr Hammah, who led a delegation of chiefs, Asafo companies, the University of Education and the youth to Charlottesville recently, said t= he authorities of Charlottesville had agreed to support Winneba with some development projects including a library complex and a computer centre. He commended members of the Peace Initiative for their determination= to find a lasting solution to the intractable chieftaincy problem that had plagued Effutu for years.

Nii Ephraim, the Municipal Chief Executive, recalled the events that=

led to the abrupt ending of this year's Aboakir Festival and appealed to the people to give peace a chance. He said Effutu citizens had become a laughing stock when they visite= d places because of the activities of some few people. He said over GH¢20,000 was spent by the Assembly on maintaining security during this year's abortive Aboakyir Festival and added that "th= is must not be allowed to continue." Nii Ephraim said measures would be put in place next year to prosecu= te trouble makers and urged parents to advise their children accordingly. Mr Alex Bonney, the Chairman of the Winneba Peace Initiative, said t= he Winneba chieftaincy problem had been a worry to the authorities of the University of Education, Winneba.

He said the Association would not rest until peace was achieved for the town and called on the people to cooperate with them. Deputy Superintendent of Police Asamoah, the District Commander of Police, urged the people to cooperate with police by reporting activities= of criminals to them. The Rev Eldad Bonney, a lecturer at the University of Education, Winneba, stressed the need to inject in children the concept of peace so that they could ensure peace when they grew up. 08 Dec 10