Kpando, Sept. 9, GNA - Former President Jerry John Rawlings, on Monday appealed to chiefs and elders in society to reprimand wrongdoing that could inflame passion by politicians.

He said as custodian of the land and belief systems, "you ought to scold at wrongdoing even though the National Constitution vetoes your active participation in partisan politics".

Former President Rawlings made the appeal when he paid courtesy calls on chiefs and elders of Vakpo, Anfoega and Tokor as part of his campaign tour of the Volta region.

He said the time to act was now and "do not allow the situation to degenerate before you attempt to mend it".

The Former President said chiefs occupy a strategic position in the socio-economic development of the country and they must rise up to condemn ills, which affected the society.

He urged traditional rulers to rebuke injustice, corrupt practices, utter disregard for rules and regulations, intimidation and human rights abuses.

Former President Rawlings said a lot more work needed to be done to bring dignity and justice to the downtrodden than reducing them to servitude. Mr Modestus Ahiable, Volta Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), advised the Kufuor-led Government to prepare for electoral shock in December, as was the case in 2000. Spokespersons of Togbega Dagadu VIII and Togbe Tepre Hodo IV Paramount Chiefs of Akpini and Anfoega Traditional Areas respectively called on politicians to ensure peace, fair and transparency elections to respect the verdict of the polls. Mr Kofi Adams, Aide at the Office of the former President and other NDC stalwarts accompanied the former president on his tour.