Guard against loose talk on political platforms – Zuarungu Paramount Chief

• Naba Belia-Maaletinga Afeghera III
(middle) speaking at the programme

The Paramount Chief for Zuarungu Traditional Area, Naba Belia-Maaletinga Afeghera III, has called on politicians to endeavour to embrace peace ahead of the crucial polls this year.

Naba Afeghera III who is also the president for the Zuarungu Traditional Council, said the country needed peace for a sustainable development, and any “loose language’’ used on platforms could plunge the country into chaos.

To this end, he underscored the need for both frontline and sympathisers of the political parties to be guarded on their choice of words on political platforms.

The chief was speaking at this year’s N’daakoya marked over the weekend.

The festival, held on the theme: “The role of all indigenes and social partners for peace, security and development”, is celebrated annually by the chiefs and people of the area in commemoration of God’s blessings for a successful farming season.

The N’daakoya is also observed to solicit divine guidance for the ensuing year, and provides a platform for the indigenes; both home and abroad, to meet to brainstorm on strategies to address developmental issues in Zuarungu.

The chief challenged residents to bury their political differences and pursue a common objective toward massing up development projects for the area in all sectors of the economy.

“Let me tell you that politics is not everything in life, and we cannot sacrifice our precious lives for it. Politics is a diversified game and played between families and friends of various parties,” Naba Afeghera III advised.

He asked supporters of political parties in the Bolgatanga East Constituency, particularly the two main parties, the reigning New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the largest opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), to learn from the Jinapors who had never engaged in any tussle although they supported different parties with differing ideologies.

The chief spoke highly of the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) for the Bolgatanga East, Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, over his unalloyed commitment to developing the area in the areas of health, education, water, roads among others.

According to him, he said government also deserved praises, as it had carried several life-changing projects in the area, including the reshaping, rehabilitation and construction of road bridges across the district.

Naba Afeghera III also made a passionate appeal to government to prioritise the completion of the ‘Agenda III’ project in the district to correct health and related issues amongst people in the district.

For his part, the Bolgatanga East legislator, Dr Ayine, said he was humbled by the acknowledgement of his ‘handwritten’ works in the district by the chief, and pledged the district would see massive development if the constituents renewed his mandate at the upcoming elections.

He added that his campaign team would continue to sell their message to the voting populace without engaging in violent acts.

The Regional Minister, Dr Hafiz Bin Sallih, who graced the celebration of the N’daakoya, indicated the execution of the ‘Agenda 111’ health project and other ongoing projects in the area would be fast-tracked, completed and handed over for use in due course.

FROM FRANCIS DABANG, ZUARUNGU