Koforidua, Jan. 4, GNA - Daasebre Professor Oti Boateng, Omanhene of New Juaben Traditional Area, on Tuesday called for equitable and fair distribution of the oil revenue to improve the welfare of Ghanaians. Daasebre, who is also the President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs, said the oil should not be a curse as was happening in other countries but a real blessing for the benefit of future generations. The former Government Statistician made the call in his New Year messag= e delivered at the end of year meeting of the Eastern Regional House of Chief= s in Koforidua.

He said Ghana needed to stay focused in its development agenda and to ensure that all benefits of the country's accelerated growth, especially the oil revenue, would be utilised for the benefit all Ghanaians. Daasebre Oti Boateng said what Ghanaians needed this year irrespective of political, religious or ethnic groupings was to ensure that peace prevailed in the country since it was the greatest pillar upon which a nation's prosperity was built. "Peace, like the proverbial thumb in a knot fastening process, cannot= be ignored as a keystone in nation building" he emphasized Daasebre Oti Boateng urged Ghanaians to show love to one another, appreciate divergent points of view and reinforce unity in diversity and keep the star of Ghana and Africa shining.

The Omanhene expressed concern about the involvement of politicians in chieftaincy matters and cautioned them to guard against those tendencies. He also urged his colleague chiefs to live above reproach and to resist all undue influences in whatever shape or form so as to help restore the dignity of the sacred institution of chieftaincy. Daasebre Oti Boateng called for a synchronization of festivals by the various traditional areas in the Region so that they could participate in each other's ceremonies to further promote tourism. He commended chiefs in the Region for their cooperation which had brought peace throughout the year in spite of the numerous disputes.