The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Ernest Akubuor Debrah, has observed that environmental degradation and chieftaincy disputes were affecting the socio-economic development of Brong Ahafo region. He said within five years, chieftaincy disputes in the region had increased from 47 in 2002 to 53 by 2007. "This situation is making things difficult to attract the right investors to the region and unless these disputes are immediately settled, the region would have itself to blame in the near future," he added. Mr Debrah who is also Member of Parliament for Tano North made the observation at a symposium organised by the Brong Ahafo Regional Ghana at 50 Organising Committee. It was organised in collaboration with the Brong Ahafo Regional Co-ordinating Council to mark the region's 48 birthday and Ghana's 50th independence anniversary celebration. He called on chiefs to settle disputes within their traditional areas for peace and unity to prevail in the region. Mr Debrah noted that farming practices close to banks of rivers, indiscriminate tree felling and bush fires were also affecting sustained development in the region. "If care is not taken, the region, which provided 30 per cent of the nation's food requirements and became the nation's 'breadbasket' would lose this enviable position," he added. Mr Debrah asked citizens in the region to build positive image about themselves in all spheres of life in the country. Mr Debrah said the region's vision included spatial planning of towns and villages, management of sanitation, eradication and prevention of bushfires and protection of water bodies. Mr Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, announced that the region would celebrate its golden jubilee in 2009 and tourism and economic potentials had been well packaged to market them for investors. He called on local and foreign investors to help provide the financial and technological inputs to make the region the agricultural and industrial hub of Ghana's economy. Source: GNA