Kumasi, Aug 31, GNA - Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, has commended the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs for initiating Traditional Authority Partnership Project with other traditional authorities to enhance the socio-economic progress of the Region. The Asantehene, who expressed his willingness to support the project, expressed the hope that it would not only make them to become role models but would also give them the power to exhibit good leadership and visionary skills to accelerate the development of their traditional areas.

The Asantehene was welcoming members of the Standing Committee of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs who paid a courtesy and partnership relationship call on him at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi on Wednesday.

Naba Simon Ayidana Sobayire IV, Kologo Naba and President of the House led the delegation.

The Asantehene was optimistic that the House would evolve pragmatic strategies to meet the hopes and aspirations of the people in the Region at all levels to enhance their survival and development.

He said as chiefs, they were supposed to be responsible for the development of their areas of jurisdiction and urged them to liaise effectively and positively and also involve themselves in the activities of the district assemblies to being more development to the people. Otumfuo Osei Tutu stressed that the people looked to them as inspirational leaders and it therefore behoved them to work hard to let the people see the relevance of chieftaincy in the socio-economic development of the country.

Naba Sobayire noted that chieftaincy was dynamic and that the House thought it appropriate to open new approaches to solving some of the pertinent problems facing the institution and the people in the North. He expressed the hope that through the partnership project, which the House had established and exchange of visits, the old existing links and relations between them and other traditional authorities, especially with Asanteman would be strengthened.

"The more chiefs open up fraternal visits and partnerships with one another and become closer than before, our people will learn from us and respect one another without considering any regional barriers, which divide us as one people with a common destiny as one country", he said.