The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr. Mahami Salifu last Wednesday reminded traditional authorities in the Region to stay out of partisan politics.

He said they must be mindful of attempts by political parties to draw them into active partisan politics during this electioneering year, saying this would not augur well for the chieftaincy institution.

Mr Mahami, who was addressing the first general meeting of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs at Bolgatanga, said it was to preserve the sacredness of the institution of chieftaincy that the Fourth Republic sought to exclude them from active party politics.

The Regional Minister, however, appealed to traditional rulers in the area to encourage their subjects to turn out massively for the forthcoming voter registration exercise as well as the December general elections. "This is a critical year for this country as we prepare towards the general elections", he said, and urged the house to lend their support to government to ensure peaceful, free, fair and transparent elections.

Mr Mahami also briefed the chiefs on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and appealed to them to embrace the scheme when it takes off in the region.

On HIV/AIDS, the Regional Minister said as custodians of culture and tradition, traditional authorities in the region should resolve to abolish cultural practices like widow inheritance, female genital circumcision (FGC), and early marriages that tended to predispose females to higher risk of infection.

In his address, the President of the Regional House of Chiefs, Bawku Naba Asigri Abugrago II, appealed to government to provide funds for the renovation of their guest-house at Bolgatanga as well as the residence of the registrar.

He pledged that they would continue to work with government and others who had the region at heart to maintain peace for rapid socio-economic development.