Dr Henry Seidu Danaa, the Minister of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs, on Tuesday said his outfit was taking stock of all outstanding staff and replacement issues within traditional councils to ensure that they delivered effectively.

Dr Danaa said he acknowledged the challenges faced by the traditional authorities and assured them of his dedication to surmount the daily difficulties chiefs faced in running their traditional councils.

He said training programmes were being rolled out to build capacities of staff. The Minister said this when he paid courtesy calls on three paramount chiefs in the Upper East Region to assure them of his plans to effectively collaborate with them to reduce challenges facing them.

Dr Danaa said the visit to the Upper East Region would accord him the opportunity to ascertain chieftaincy issues within the region. He called on the Bolga Naaba Martin Abilba 11 in his palace.

Welcoming the entourage on behalf of Naba Abilba, Naba Adongo Asakiya , prayed for God’s guidance and protection for the team whilst in the region.

Naba Salifu Atamale Alemyaarum the Paramount Chief of the Bongo Traditional Area, acknowledged the Minister for his hard work and said he did not doubt Dr Danaa’s competence in handling the Ministry.

He said chieftaincy played a paramount role in the maintenance of peace and without the institution many parts of the country would know no peace and appealed to the government to empower the institution for effective running of its activities.

Roland Ayagitam Awampaga, Paramount Chief of the Paga Traditional Area, expressed gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama for appointing Dr Danaa who had a long working experience in the institution.

He expressed the hope that with the diverse expertise and experience the Minister would help reduce problems facing chieftaincy and said problems he faced included lack of staff for the traditional council and the need to acquire some office equipment to furnish the office.

The Chief said since the inauguration of the council in 1992 there had not been positive responses from the Ministry in that regard and expressed the hope that the problems of the Council would be looked into.