03/10/2007 (Ghanaian Times) - Vice-President Aliu Mahama has advised traditional authorities to increase the potential value of their areas by enhancing-environmental cleanliness and improving the level of service offered to visitors.

"As we continue to diversify the economy, tourism has proved to be a fast growing sector since tourists spend money on accommodation , food, souvenirs, transport and other services which all create jobs and income," he stressed.

Alhaji Mahama gave the advice at the weekend when he joined the chiefs and people of Dzodze traditional area to celebrate their sixth "Deza" (oil palm) festival here in the Ketu district.

The occasion also saw the commissioning of a multi million cedi Onetouch network for the town.

He called on traditional authorities to endeavour to sustain festivals associated with economic values as major economic opportunity to their people in terms of jobs and income creation, adding, "The chiefs and people must take full advantage of their natural resources by establishing small-scale industries".

Alhaji Mahama reminded the people of the government’s conviction of the potential of the oil palm, hence the institution of a Presidential Initiative on oil palm. He asked them to take advantage of the initiative to reap the full benefits of the palm fruit.

Major Courage Quashigah (rtd), Minister of Health, spoke extensively on the economic values of the oil palm and tasked the chiefs to encourage the youth to take full advantage of "this natural resource which abounds in this area".

He expressed misgivings about the crave for foreign culture by the youth to the neglect of the cultural values and traditional norms of the nation, saying this attitude had retarded the growth, progress and development of the nation.

He urged the chiefs and people to sustain the unity, peace and harmony prevailing in the area so that they would be able to plan and add value to the oil palm production.

Source/Credits: Ghanaian Times