Vice President John Dramani Mahama on Wednesday called on Gonja chiefs and traditional elders to desist from settling their scores in the law courts, which he said was alien to the traditional practices of Gonjaland. He said although the courts were an avenue for resolving disputes, the Gonjas over the years had distanced themselves from them because of the traditional bond they inherited from their ancestors. Vice President Mahama made the call when he joined the people of Gonjaland to celebrate the annual Damba Festival and the commemoration of the first anniversary celebration of Yagbonwura Tuntumba Boresa Sulemana Jakpa I, King of Gonjaland. The festival is used to commemorate the birth of Prophet Muhammed and the renewal of the commitment and allegiance of Gonja chiefs and elders to Yagbonwura. He denounced the chieftaincy and land disputes emerging in Gonjaland, saying Gonjas had over the years been recognised and respected for their peaceful co-existence. Vice President Mahama said plans were advanced to use the Stool Lands Commission to settle some of the disputes, particularly the one between the Gonjas and Mamprusis. He said negotiations were underway to establish a Nursing Training College in Bole and two teacher training colleges in Gonjaland. Yagbonwura Jakpa said he would establish an educational trust fund to provide educational opportunities to the youth in the area. He appealed to the government to upgrade roads in the area to facilitate the movement of goods and patients. The Yagbonwura said he would use his office to foster unity and peace to promote massive socio-economic development. The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu, was represented at the function by Oheneba Adusei Poku, the Akyempimhene. Source: GNA