The Paramount Chief of the Zuarungu Traditional Area in the Upper East Region, Naba Bilea Maletinnga Afeghera III, has entreated the Zuarungu Community in Accra and Tema to mobilise resources to support the government to provide the needed development for the area.
In addition, he implored the people of Zuarungu to support any government that came to power irrespective of their political affiliation while maintaining the peace and unity that had existed among them over the past years.
Naba Afeghera III made the statement when he addressed the Community at a grand durbar at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra on Saturday to share his vision and discuss developmental issues of critical concern.
The durbar, which was characterised by the display of rich traditional culture of the people of Zuarungu, was attended by Sub-Chiefs clad in smocks, the Greater Accra Frafra Chief and District Chief Executive of Bolgatanga East, Mr David Amoah.
Others were the Minister for the Interior, Mr Ambrose Dery, representatives from the La Traditional Council and other dignitaries who pledged their unflinching support for the vision of the Paramount Chief.
An Appeal for fund was also organised to help raise funds in order to undertake some developmental projects in the Zuarungu Traditional Area.
While commending the current government for the various developmental projects undertaken in its jurisdiction, such as the provision of potable water, the Paramount Chief said more was needed to be done.
Naba Afeghera III decried the increasing rate of crime in the country, especially in the Upper East Region of which Zuarungu was a part, and assured the police service of the release of a land for the construction of a police barracks and an office complex to help improve security in the traditional area.
“Last year, two young police men were killed by armed robbers in Zuarungu market. A plea was made to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) that the number of the personnel was inadequate,” Naba Afeghera III said.
“We are pleading with the government to consider us in terms of security,” Naba Afeghera III added.
He further encouraged the people of Zuarungu to actively participate in such events in order to share ideas and expertise on how to develop and transform the traditional area.
Meanwhile, the Frafra Chief in Accra, Naba Alhaji Abass Baba Nyaaba Akayezea Kelinaba, in his address, implored the Paramount Chief to help develop and improve the lives of the Zuarungu Community, especially in the area of Education and Craftsmanship.
He explained that the level of interest in education among the youth over the past few years had been low, adding that there was the need to encourage the youth to venture into the smock business, which would help provide employment and generate revenue.
“The interest in schooling among the youth in the Zuarungu Community has not been encouraging over the past few years. Also, the smock, which portrays our rich culture, can also generate revenue if we encourage our youth to learn how to sew and export it,” Naba Kelinaba said.
BY BENJAMIN ARCTON-TETTEY