Tumu, April 5, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills, has asked kingmakers of the Tumu Paramountcy to endeavour to find the right person to succeed the late Gilbert B. Kanton V, Paramount Chief of the Tumu Traditional Area without any acrimony.

"We must not allow Kuoru Kanton's departure to create a setback either in the family or in the Paramountcy and halt development", President Mills advised.

He also urged the people to sustain the peace and united Kuoru Kanton bequeathed them and not to indulge in acts that are likely to bring acrimony and confusion in their search for a successor. President Mills said this in a speech read on his behalf by the Upper West Regional Minister, Mr. Mahmud Khalid who represented the President at the final funeral rites of Kuoru Kanton at Tumu on Saturday.

He said there was the need to have a smooth succession to the skin for the sake of development and progress of the people, noting: "without peace in the paramountcy no meaningful development could be implemented".

President Mills expressed his condolence to the Kanton family and the people of the traditional area and wished them well during the funeral celebrations.

In a tribute, a family member, Mr Richard Babini Kanton described the late Kanton as a kin pin that held the centre firm and stable for the family during his life time.

"Indeed, the late Kanton was a unifying force that inspired hope in time of despair. This special quality of yours propelled us through stormy weather successfully with pride and dignity", he said. Similar tributes by his wives and children also described him as a caring and generous person, only to his family but to all manner of persons who came to him for help. Mr. Khalid, on behalf of President Mills presented 15 cartons of soft drinks, 10 bags of rice and two cartons of cooking oil to the bereaved family. The funeral was characterized by traditional mourning and musketry and was witnessed by many people across the country and neighbouring Burkina Faso.