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General News of Saturday, 21 August 2010

Source: GNA

Government will not meddle in chieftaincy - Vice President

Amasaman (G/A), Aug 21, GNA - Vice President John Dramani Mahama, on Saturday gave the assurance that Government would not meddle in chieftaincy disputes in the country.

He said "Government is ready and willing to work with any chief recognized by his people in consonance with the 1992 Constitution and will not discriminate against any chief in this country."

Vice President Mahama gave the promise when he addressed the chiefs and people of Ga East, Ga West and Ga South Municipalities, at Amasaman near Accra, during their annual Homowo festival.

Homowo, which means hooting at hunger, is celebrated among the Ga people in Greater Accra Region.

The Vice President expressed disappointment that there were numerous chieftaincy disputes in the Region and called on the Ga Traditional Council and the National House of Chiefs to endeavour to settle them towards rapid development of the Region.

He said that Government would continue to monitor all chieftaincy issues and called on the people to unite and live in peace and unity to enable them to achieve their development goals.

Vice President Mahama also appealed to Ga chiefs to support their various district and municipal assemblies to reclaim lands that had been destroyed through sand and stone winning.

"The illegal sand and stone winning has not only destroyed our lands it has also hampered agricultural activities, denying a lot of farmers food and revenue", he said.

Nii Armah Ashietey, Greater Accra Regional Minister, called for peace and unity among the people so that they could pursue their development agenda.

He said "We cannot keep on fighting ourselves and expect development to be achieved, we have to bury our differences and forge ahead for the development of our communities and our people."

Nii Amasa Oseiku II, Chief of Amasaman, called on Government to support the people to develop their communities.