Chiefs of the La Traditional Area have appealed to government, especially, the Ministry of tourism to use the Ga word for "welcome' to greet visitors at the Kotoka International Airport instead of "Akwaaba,' the Akan version of the word currently, being used. For a long time, people coining into Ghana have been greeted with the word 'Akwaaba' written on a huge sign in front of the airport. The chiefs complained that since the airport, was situated in the Greater Accra region which was dominated by Ga speaking people, it was not necessary to use a welcome sign written in Akan. Though they claimed they had made the call to government on several occasions, the chiefs said the state must quickly grant their request this time around. Nii Kpobi Tettey Tsuru III, the La Mantse, made the appeal when the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Armah Ashietey, presented some gifts to the chiefs and people of La on behalf of government towards their celebration of the Homowo festival. On behalf of his fellow Ga chiefs, he lamented that for years they had been deprived of certain privileges in their own land, saying they wondered why the welcome symbol at the airport should not be written in Ga since the international airport is situated on Ga land. He noted that it was sad that various governments are indirectly denying them their right by refusing to welcome foreigners in the Ga dialect. "This we think would help the foreigners to know the land that they are entering into." The items presented included GH¢2, OOO worth of soft drinks as well as beer and schnapps estimated at a total cost Of GH¢3, OOO. Touching on the long term litigations that have deprived the Gas of development, he said for the past 14 years the people of La have not been taking part of the Homowo festival which brings unity among the people to discuss issues bordering on development. He gave the assurance that all chieftaincy and land issues within the area had been resolved and that the chiefs have now come together to look for effective ways to step up the area’s development, hence, their involvement in this year’s Homowo.