Accra, Aug. 29, GNA – The Chiefs and people of James Town in Accra have rounded off the Homowo festival on Saturday with a grand durbar at Mantse Agbonaa, with a call on the chiefs to stop the indiscriminate sale of lands, which had given rise to criminal activities, retarding the progress of the youth in the Greater Accra Region.
Ms. Theresa Ameley Tagoe, Deputy Greater Accra Regional Minister, who made the call also advised the chiefs against outright sale of lands, which was a dangerous practice but leasehold was the best option they have to adopt in the interest of the people.
The durbar of chiefs was under the theme, “Traditional Festivals and National Development, Total Mobilization of National Resource”. She reminded the chiefs that it had been the concern of Government to release all lands acquired by government, which had not been utilised back to the chiefs and pay compensation, but asked, “To whom are we going to pay the compensation?”
Ms Tagoe raised a serious concern about land litigations, which had engulfed the region, ” today we hear land guards killing people over land, the next day chiefs were fighting each other because of land sold to different people and so on, which did not augur well for community development”.
The Paramount Chiefs of James Town, Nii Kojo Ababio V, also expressed concern about the youth not showing interest in education in the area, adding that, it was not by choice but by the circumstances they find themselves, which had made them become careless of their lives.
He said, “we need to identify the talents and desires of the youth and work at harnessing them, adding that, “we cannot do it alone without government’s support and therefore, called for support from other donors.
Nii Kojo Ababio appealed to the youth and the fisher-folks, who would be affected by the construction of the new fishing harbour at the James Town Beach to cooperate with the contractors, since it would benefit them.
Mr Joe Baidoo Ansah, Deputy Minister for Diasporean Relations and Tourism, who deputised for Mr Jake Obetsebi Lamptey expressed shock, when a group of young people chased the contractors working on the five billion cedis James Town Development and Bukom Square projects. He advised the youth to accept the project since it would bring them employment, which would be beneficial to all people in the area. He said it was a good step government had taken and would help in the beautification of the capital city and bring more investors. Later, Nii Kojo Ababio honoured Mr Justice V.C.R.A.C. Crabbe, a true and illustrious son of James Town for his meritorious service to the nation.
