First Lady calls for collaboration among chiefs and security agencies

The First Lady, Mrs. Lordina Mahama at the weekend called for an effective collaboration between chiefs and the security agencies to sustain national stability towards election 2012.

She emphasised that as the embodiment of the people, the role of chiefs is paramount in peace building since most Ghanaians hold them in high esteem.

Addressing a durbar of the chiefs and people of Nkoranza to climax the Munufie Kese Festival, Mrs Mahama noted that views of chiefs have influence on their communities whilst their opinions are well respected.

This year’s celebration coincided with the 25th anniversary celebration of the enstoolment of Okatakyie Agyeman Kudom IV, Paramount Chief of Nkoranza.

It is a period for the purification of the various stools and insignia of the State, which are the embodiment of Nkoranzaman.

The festival was attended by thousands of indigenes of Nkoranza from all walks of life to prepare and strengthen them for the challenges and opportunities of the ensuing year and formally permit the eating of the new yam planted during the preceding farming season.

Mrs Mahama, who is an inhabitant of Nkoranza, told the chiefs that although they are barred from active partisan politics; it does not that they should remain unconcerned when political parties engage in activities that could jeopardise national stability especially in the heat of the electioneering.

She appealed to the people to support President John Dramani Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to retain power to facilitate more development projects.

The First Lady explained that it is the desire of President Mahama not only to promote quality education but also ensure that the health needs of the people are achieved.

Mrs Mahama said 2013 is an action year where the citizenry would witness tremendous improvement in their standard of living through job creation and poverty reduction interventions.

She said all these would be a reality when the electorate vote for the NDC and ensure that national peace is sustained before, during and after the elections.

Mrs Mahama presented 260 laptops for distribution among students in the traditional area and additional 40 computers for a new ICT centre she had built for the people.

In addition, she presented alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and GH¢5,000 cash to support the celebration.

Mrs Cecilia Johnson, Member of the Council of State who represented President Mahama emphasised that Government would not tolerate individuals and groups whose activities could cause tension in Election 2012.

She advised the political parties to adhere to the electoral laws and conduct their campaigns based on development issues.

Mrs Johnson advised chiefs to take the responsibility to sensitise their people on the need for national peace as the government had directed the security agencies not to deal leniently with trouble makers.

Mr. Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister called on the people to play their part at peace building and sustenance as a collective responsibility.

Okatakyie Kudom noted that political stability, expansion in socio-economic infrastructure and the unity in development that the traditional area had enjoyed for the past years was unprecedented.

He said road network, education and agriculture had all increased and improved but added that the two major roads connecting Nkoranza to Jema Nkwanta and Nkoranza-Abease-Atebubu needed immediate attention.

Okatakyie Kudom emphasised that Ghanaians have no other place to run to when politics of insults and violence destabilised the country.

He entreated the citizenry to collectively and jealously protect the prevailing peace in the country to achieve the objective of development in uni