Chiana (U/E), May 29, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills on Saturday described Pe Rowland Adiali Ayagitam II, Paramount Chief of the Chiana Traditional Area, Upper East Region, as selfless, self-determined and always willing and ready to serve humanity.

He said Pe Ayagitam II demonstrated his passion for the development of Chiana and the nation as a whole as he held many leadership positions and played vital roles in the socio-politico-economic development of the country.

President Mills was speaking at the final funeral rites of the Former Paramount Chief, held in Chiana. He died four years ago. The President appealed to the family to be guided by existing traditional norms in the selection of a successor and said when that was done it would bring the needed peace required for the overall development of the area, adding that peace was a good catalyst for development. President Mills presented 10,000 Ghana Cedis; five mini-bags of rice; 10 cartons of beer; a bull and a ram to the bereaved family on behalf of the Government and People of Ghana.

The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Mark Woyongo observed that Pe Ayagitam was an illustrious and forceful person during his life time and said even though he could not achieve his educational ambition, he did not relent in imparting his knowledge and expertise in agriculture to his subjects.

Delegations from Parliament; Council of State and the New Patriotic Party also paid tribute to Pe Ayagitam II and presented gifts to the family to support them to perform the funeral.

Pe Ayagitam served in many capacities including President of the Kassena-Nankana Traditional Council for two terms in 1972-1976 and 1986-1989. He became the President of the Upper Regional House of Chiefs in 1972 and the First President of Upper East Regional House of Chiefs in 1976 when the Region was separated into Upper East and Upper West Regions. He served as Director as well as a member of several Boards including Northern Territories Land Planning; Lands Commission; Black Star Line and Farmers Services Company. He was the Speaker of the Consultative Assembly that drew the Constitution of the Fourth Republic of Ghana and became a Member of the Council of State. President Mills' delegation included Mr J. M. Newman, Chief of Staff; Mr John Tia Akolugo, Minister of Information; Mr Cletus Avoka, The Majority Leader in Parliament; Mr Mahama Ayariga, Deputy Minister of Trade, and Mr Abuga Pele, National Coordinator, National Youth and Employment Programme, among others. 29 May 10