Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, the 2008 flagbearer for the CPP, and now seeking the support of Ghanaian electorate to become the President of Ghana come 2013, has expressed strong worry about the pace of development in the Central Region, most especially the condition of the people of Saltpond as they continue to wallow in harsh realities of underdevelopment and impoverishment. He pondered why a resourceful Region like Central Region with great historical claims still remains one of the poorest amongst the 10 regions in Ghana. He noted that the mandate of the people must be respected by people elected into government, adding that government must ensure that the people of Saltpond are given the needed support through good education and infrastructure development to produce the necessary results that will bring about positive economic transformation in the area. Dr. Nduom asked all politicians, including himself, to pay particular attention to figuring out a way to make the revenue gained from the oil drilled from the Saltpond area a positive force for wealth creation and development in the area. He asked government to ensure that towns such as Saltpond benefit directly from natural resource revenue generated as a means of ensuring social equity. Dr. Nduom made these comments when he addressed a grand durbar of the Chiefs and people of Saltpond to mark the Ayerye festival, which is being celebrated for the first time in over 30 years on Saturday. Dr. Nduom asked the NDC government to take a clue from the alarming upsurge in the unemployment situation in the country, and look at how to put in place innovative measures to make good use of the untapped talents in the human resources available to turn the fortunes of this nation for the better. He called on the people to consider voting for individuals who have demonstrable records to show for what they can do. The ceremony was graced by chiefs adorned in their gorgeous Kente cloths and other regalia, dignitaries from political parties, the diplomatic corps as well as Diasporeans. Some dignitaries present at the function included the MP for the area, Hon. Aquinas Quansah, the former MP for Mfantsiman West, Hon. Asamoah Boateng, Municipal Chief Executive for Mfantsiman, Henry Kweku Hayfron. Dr. Nduom also presented an amount of GH¢1,000 plus Schnapps and four crates of assorted drinks to the Chiefs to assure them of his support and to also make the occasion a very memorable one. The festival was on the theme: “Together, We Can. The ‘Nananom’ in a speech urged people of the town to promote unity and work together to bring about the development they are all looking for.