Paramount Chiefs in the Gomoa District have been urged to come together to plan "one grand festival" to attract tourists and investors to the area. Madam Joyce Aidoo, District Chief Executive (DCE), made the call at a mini durbar organised by the University of Cape Coast Chapter of the Gomoa Students Association at Apam. It was to mark the end of their three-week outreach programme to teach in schools, which performed poorly in the last Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). The DCE noted that the Akwanbo festival, the Ahobaketsewa, Ahobakese and the "Gomoa two weeks" were celebrated in what she called, "piece meal" in the communities, adding that, "They are a waste of resources and time". "No wonder poverty is rife in the District since new clothes are acquired for festivals and citizens working outside the District are compelled to come home for the festivals", she said. Madam Aidoo noted that these activities also contributed to the high rate of teenage pregnancy, HIV/AIDS and the poor standard of education. She advised parents and guardians to use their scarce resources on the education of their children and wards instead of festivals and commended the students for their efforts. The DCE assured the students of the support of the District Assembly in the programme organised every semester. Professor Kobina Yankson, Head of the Zoology Department and Director of the Quality Control of the University, who is also the patron of the Association commended the students for spending their holidays on "profitable ventures". Prof Yankson, a former Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University urged the students to target parents and guardians to sensitise them to appreciate the importance of education. He expressed concern about chieftaincy and land disputes in the District, which retarded development and led to poverty. Dr. Samuel Mbroh, a Medical Officer at the University Hospital and also a patron urged citizens from the District to take interest in the teaching profession to contribute to the raising of educational standards in the area. Mrs. Augustina King, Deputy District Director of Education, expressed concern about the refusal of Junior Secondary School (JSS) three students to attend classes after they had registered for the BECE and the inability of some parents to care for their children. Mr. George Yamoah, President of the Association, said students noted that absenteeism by teachers and pupils and lack of parental support contributed to the low standard of education in the area. Source: GNA