Assin Nsuta (C/R), Jan. 4, GNA - The collective goodwill and support of the citizenry is a pre-requisite for progress and development since no man has ever achieved success alone, Mr Ato Essuman, Member of the Council of State, has stated.

Mr Essuman, who is the Lay President of the Methodist Church and Chief Director of the Ministry of Education and Sports, urged communities to rally behind their chiefs for development.

He made the point at the installation at the weekend of Dr J K Kwakye-Maafo, a Kumasi based private medical practitioner as the chief of Assin Nsuta and Benkumhene of Assin Apimanim Traditional Area under the stool name Nana Ohemeng Awere V.

The Council of State Member said "I view the installation of Nana Ohemeng Awere as an act not merely to fill a gap, or a compelling response by the Ekoona Ebusua of Assin Nsuta to provide a candidate, but the selection of Dr Kwakye-Maafo fulfils the requirements of the characteristics of a modern chief."

Mr Essuman said the new chief's wide experience and exposure in both the public and private sectors would impact on the affairs and fortunes of the traditional area.

"Chiefs are normally regarded as the embodiment of our traditions and values, the repository of all wisdom and people whose counsel are very much valued", he stated and added that "in our days the role of a chief is even more amplified; apart from offering leadership, our chiefs have become the sources of hope and progress and a rallying point for initiating development.

Mr Essuman urged traditional rulers, opinion leaders and school management committees to be vigilant and to ensure that no one mismanaged the capitation grants.

"The future of our traditional areas, the regions and the country as a whole is in our hands. What we do today and the opportunities we take advantage of will determine what our country's prosperity will be tomorrow," he stated.

Mr Essuman said posterity would never forgive community leaders, parents and guardians if they failed to educate and create opportunities for children to go to school and to support them through all levels of education.

Nana Ohemeng Awere thanked the kingmakers for the confidence reposed in him and assured that he would not disappoint them. The new chief said he would make education and health his priority and called for support from all and sundry to make his vision for the area a success.