Chief urges political parties to show tolerance

Sunyani (B/A), April 9, GNA- Okatakyie Agyeman Kudom IV, President of the Brong-Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs on Wednesday, appealed to political parties to show tolerance, commitment and unity in the conduct of their electioneering campaigns towards the December general election. He implored Ghanaians to live in unity and help sustain the prevailing peace and security in the country.

Okatakyie Agyeman, who is the Omanhene of Nkoranza Traditional Area, made the appeal at the general meeting of the house in Sunyani. He explained that the 2008 elections was a "turning point in the country's democratic dispensation" and appealed to the Electoral Commission to ensure the elections would be free, fair and acceptable to all political parties.

Okatakyie Agyeman said even though traditional rulers were barred from participating in active politics, nothing should stop them from commenting on political tendencies that could jeopardize the security of the country.

He expressed regret about the perennial chieftaincy disputes in the region, and hoped that with the appointment of a legal councillor, the house would work hard to resolve the cases to enhance development. Mr Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, was also concerned about the numerous chieftaincy disputes and litigations that had polarized some communities.

He advised traditional authorities to channel their resources, time and energy into ventures that would make a positive impact on the lives of their people.

"Protracted disputes do not benefit anybody as in the end there would be neither victors nor vanquished and it is your subjects who suffer", he added.

Mr Baffour-Awuah reminded the chiefs that, as the embodiment of the people, they should preach the message of political tolerance during the electioneering campaigns.

He said the region have had its fair share of the national cake in terms of development and that investments were on the upward trend under the NPP government.

The Regional Minister urged Ghanaians to renew the mandate of the government to continue with the projects and policies it had initiated. Mr Baffour-Awuah said the role of chiefs in the elections in ensuring free and decorous electioneering campaigning, vigilance and monitoring at the polls would help in no small measure in guaranteeing a fair and acceptable outcome.

"As Ghanaians with a common destiny, let us learn to be tolerant of each other's view no matter our political affiliations. This is the time to prove the skeptics wrong and let us understand that we are politically matured and are also determined to nurture our young democracy", he stressed.