Mr Samuel Sarpong, Central Regional Minister, has assured traditional rulers of his support, team-work and cooperation to ensure effective development and good governance in the region.

He said traditional rulers as custodians of the land and development-oriented leaders, existed long before the emergence of colonial government.

Mr Sarpong called for effective collaboration with all districts, municipal and metropolitan chief executives in order to ensure accelerated development.

The Regional Minister gave the assurance when he paid a visit to the Ajumako Traditional Council at Ajumako as part of his familiarisation tour of the Central Region to solicit the blessings of the chiefs.

Mr Sarpong, who was accompanied by the Central Regional Director of Health Services, Dr T.S. Quarshie, assured the Omanhen of the area, Okokodurfo Ogyeeabour Nana Kwamena Hammah Ababio II and his people that the abandoned district hospital would see the green-light before December 2013.

The district hospital, an OPEC funded project, should have been completed in July 2009 alongside with two others in the Western and Upper regions.

Okokodurfo Ogyeeabour Ababio expressed unhappiness about the situation at the district hospital and tendered a report he and his people had written to the government through the Ministry of Health some years ago, and wondered why the district should be deprived of a health delivery system.

He called for peace, unity and respect for chiefs from the district office of the government, and the security services to ensure accelerated development in the area.

Prayers were said, and libation poured for the Regional Minister wishing him a happy and prosperous stay in the region.

Earlier, the Minister and his entourage visited the four paramountcies in the district, namely Enyan Maim, Enyan Denkyira, Enyan Abasa and Breman Essiam.