The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Bashiru Kamara Mo­hammed who gave the assurance said traditional authorities were indispensable in the achieving the development objectives.

He was speaking at the Annual Sowutuom Homowo celebration organised by the SowutuomMan­

 tse, Nii Osabu Akwei Tibo I in collaboration with the GCMA and the Greater Accra Regional Na­tional Commission on Culture.

Mr Mohammed acknowledged the intervention and collabora­tion of the chief in development projects of the area, citing the government flagship programme Agenda 111.

He applauded the chief for promoting and maintaining peace in the area, adding that such a ges­ture was fertile grounds for total development of the community.

Nii Osabu Akwei Tibo I said though, the chief and people of Sowutuom were mourning the loss of the Queen Mother of the Ga state, Naa Dedei Omaedru III, a symbolic ceremony was being held in a low-key to honor the memory of the souls of the departed traditional leaders.

He called for all hands on deck and a climate of peace in the area which would quicken the pace of development for the benefit of the people.

The Greater Accra Deputy Regional Director of the Nation­al Commission on Culture, Mr Eric Ohene-Larbi said festivals were important as a nation that undermined its cultural values and unique identity was bound to disintegrate with time.

Mr Ohene-Larbi urged traditional authorities to use the occasion to resolve all grievances among the people, while charting a new path towards development and unity.

The Chief Priest of Sowu­tuom, Nuumo Guan sought for the protection of God over the people and the whole community till the next celebration, adding that all should live in peace with one another.

Side attraction to the event was the exhibition of Ghanaian local cuisine, traditional wear, drinks, artefacts, and handicrafts climax with free health screening.