Accra, Nov.7, GNA- President John Agyekum Kufuor on Friday, asked Ghanaians to appreciate the unique value and role of the chieftaincy institution that could be utilised for the country's socio-economic development.
He said although Ghana being a Republic had its own Constitution, the peoples respect for chiefs had made the Constitution a "hybrid document other than a strict one".
President Kufuor said this when Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, paid a courtesy call on him at the Castle, Osu.
The Asantehene returned home from Britain after a six-week visit during which he participated in the Ghana EXPO 2003 held in London. President Kufuor said paramount chiefs were now living up to expectation as custodians of the country's rich cultural heritage and giving meaning into the assertion that they were "fathers" of the nation.
He said the chiefs had now tasked themselves with a job that complement government's efforts in developing the country particularly for investments.
President Kufuor said although government had High Commissioners and Ambassadors as its representatives, chiefs had become Ghana's cultural ambassadors who in addition to portraying the country's rich cultural heritage also woo investors into their areas of jurisdiction thereby re-enforcing the work of government.
He commended the organisers of the exhibition for their initiative and said reports received from government officials that participated in the exhibition would be studied and government would offer the required assistance and support to such activities in future.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu said although the aims and objectives of the exhibition were ideal the organisation of the exhibition was fraught with problems with the exhibitors and the participation by foreigners and appealed for government's assistance in any future exhibition of made in Ghana goods outside its borders.
He stressed the need for the development of the middle-level manpower needs of the country through the establishment of more technical, vocational and agricultural schools to form the basis of the country's development.
The Asantehene briefed President Kufuor about the fruitful discussions he had with the Archbishop of Canterbury and Mr Mc Kinnon General Secretary of the Commonwealth and the need for the Commonwealth to assist member countries to access more financial assistance from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).