The Daily Graphic says President J.A. Kufuor has called for effective collaboration between traditional authorities and the government in an effort to develop the nation.

Mr Kufuor was speaking when the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, called on him at his residence in Accra on Tuesday to brief the President on his trip to the United States of America and the United Kingdom.

The Asantehene, accompanied by a retinue of chiefs, spent six weeks in the two countries where he met with the executives of the World Bank and a cross-section of the Ghanaian community.

President Kufuor said Otumfuo's visits and the awards bestowed on him are indicative of the fact that Africa abounds in rich traditional and cultural values.

He said Otumfuo and his entourage boosted the image of the country during the trip and gave the assurance that the government would support them for the benefit of Ghanaians.

Oheneba Agyemang Atwereboana II, Hiahene, who was on the trip briefed the President on the Otumfuo's visits and said while in the US, the Asantehene talked about quality education, health as well as tourism promotion.