Accra, Jan. 7, GNA - The National House of Chiefs on Tuesday congratulated President-elect John Evans Atta Mills and said as custodians of the country's culture and tradition, "we see your successes as a monumental event sy mbolising the very essence of our unity and togetherness".

A statement by Wulugu Naba-Naa Prof. John Nabila, President of the House, said the president-elect's personal attributes as "peace maker" and his decades of professional experience as a "teacher", combine to assure the chiefs that under his presidency, the peace being enjoyed would be deepened and "we will continue to learn new lessons and teach others about human dignity and sustainable development". "We know that you will; deploy your personal commitments and professional attributes to unite the country after a highly competitive and sometimes divisive election campaign."

The House of Chiefs also congratulated Nana Akufo-Addo, losing candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), for accepting the results and out-going President John Agyekum Kufuor for his preparedness to facilitate a smooth transition to the next government. The House of Chiefs urged all Ghanaians to desist from all the rivalry and acrimony which characterised the elections, saying "Let us resolve to work together as we continue to build our nation in unity, peace and stability through dialogue and reconciliation." It said the House was in the process of preparing its strategic plan to elaborate its vision for effective and cooperative governance that would consolidate democracy and ancestral heritage.