GOVT, TRADITIONAL LEADERS MUST COLLABORATE FOR DEV (PAGE 14, JULY 13, 2010)

THE Vice President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, has called for effective collaboration between the government and traditional leaders to enhance the socio-economic development of the country.
He said such collaboration would also encourage consultation, counselling, co-operation and support to enable the government to achieve its quest to usher the country into the comity of middle income nations.
“Traditional leaders and the government as development partners have a common task which is to develop the communities and the nation and above all to promote the welfare of our people that have elected or appointed us to leadership positions,” Mr Mahama stated.
The Vice President made the call in an address read on his behalf by the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, at the Ohumkan festival of the chiefs and people of Akyem Tafo in the East Akyem Municipality of the Eastern Region on Saturday.
The event, which also marked the 25th anniversary of Osabarima Adusei Peasah IV’s installation as the Akyem-Tafohene, was on the theme “Unity in Development”.
The Vice President said the chieftaincy institution was vital for the progress and socio-economic development of the country, saying that “traditional authorities and the state as has always been the case play a complementary role in nation building”.
“I am therefore inspired and encouraged about the involvement, collaboration and contributions of chiefs towards the development of their communities and the country as a whole,” he stated.
He urged chiefs to show stronger commitment towards the development of their people and the communities to enable them to leave behind a legacy which posterity would judge them by.
“The success or otherwise of a chief is inextricably linked to solving problems of mankind, showing affection, care and love to humanity, values our chiefs must always strive to achieve”, Mr Mahama added.
He further urged traditional leaders and parents to lead the crusade in the fight against moral decay and indiscipline among Ghanaians, particularly the youth.
“Parents and traditional leaders, through whose leadership and control our children and the youth are nurtured, need to advise and guide them when their actions deviate or do not conform to our norms and values,” he stated.
He also advised the youth to avoid lifestyles, practices and behaviours which he described as “obscene and not considered prudent and righteous”.
The Vice President commended Osabarima Peasah for ensuring peace and progress in the area for the past 25 years, saying that the “government has noted with appreciation and admiration the peace and unity that have prevailed in your area”.
He pledged the commitment of the government to continue to provide infrastructure and social facilities to improve upon the quality of life of the people in Akyem-Tafo, adding that currently the road from Sokoda Juaso to Osiem-Old Tafo junction on the Koforidua-Bunso highway was under rehabilitation.
Osabarima Peasah expressed appreciation to the government for the development of the town but appealed for the rehabilitation of the only market in the area as well as some of the roads in the town to facilitate the movement of the people and goods.