The Chiefs and people of Tema have been asked to bury their differences and pursue the path of unity and development.

Having wasted three decades on chieftaincy disputes, I will admonish the people of Tema to mend their fences as individuals and families and unite to avoid falling prey to unproductive tendencies and make unity the bed rock for development. Professor John Nabila, President, National House of Chiefs, said at the weekend.

He was the guest of honour at durbar of Chiefs and people of Tema organised to climax their Kpelejoo, a Ga ritual dance festival, which ushers in the sowing period.

Professor Nabila, who spoke on the theme for the occasion, Festivals as a tool for unity and development, he said the people of Tema should now recognize and exploit the opportunities that exist in the ruins of under development.

He said I expect Nii Tema to be honest with his people and offer exemplary leadership and should be modest in his dealings and initiate developmental plans courting the help of the various industries around.

Professor Nabila said Tema traditionally is an agricultural town and urged residents to recognize their agrarian status while they improve on the methods of farming and fishing and also forming co-operative unions to access loans to expand businesses.

Dr. Henry Seidu Danaa, Minister of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs, asked the Tema Mantse to bring all the unit components of the Tema Traditional Council together and make efforts to solve all chieftaincy disputes to ensure unity as the basis for a better standard of living for all.

Mrs Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, commended the people for keeping alive the rich culture of Tema adding that the success of Kpelejoo festival was not only important for our culture and creative arts but will lead to economic development of the country.

She said we should celebrate festivals with the intent of taking stock of the past, work ahead to leave indelible developmental footprints for the future.

She called for the harnessing of resources, talents and energies with the Tema area to transform structures of poverty to that of wealth, inequality to the satisfaction of popular needs in the slums and deprived areas.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency, Mr. Isaac Ashai Odamtten, Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive, said the Tema Metropolitan Assembly will collaborate with TTC to help sustain, deepen and create more avenue to ensure the welfare of the people of Tema by promoting culture and tourism.

Mr. Odamtten called on the people to eschew divisive tendencies and forge ahead to develop the area economically.

The occasion was graced by dignitaries including Mr. Adjei Annan, Member, Council of State, ( Greater Accra), Queen Mothers, Clan Heads and Members of Parliament.

Dancers from the various clans in Manhean including Chelsea, Planet, Black Cat, Boys Abre, Star Wine, Phobia and Boater City, performed various kinds of the traditional dance to the delight of all.

GNA