A delegation of traditional rulers from neighbouring Ghana enriched the universality of African tradition and culture when they undertook a holy pilgrimage to Togo last week with a royal mission.

Led by Nana Yeboah Afari Obuagyan II from the Volta Region, the delegation came with the full regalia of the dignity of traditional office to congratulate the Togolese Head of State, Gnassingb? Eyad?ma on his recent re-election to another third term during the June 1, 2003 presidential elections.

Amidst pomp and pageantry, Nana Yeboah Afari Obuagyan II took the opportunity to confer an honorary chieftaincy title on the Togolese head of state.

Nana Obuagyan II said the honorary chieftaincy title was in recognition of the exceptional contributions of President Gnassingb? Eyad?ma as "a wise ruler who has brought prosperity to the Togolese people, and peace to the entire sub-region".

"No one removes a good, and wise chief from office", Nana Obuagyan II said. Nana declared during the impressive ceremony, "a good chief is the one who is always at the head of his people, with his people, whether in rain, sunshine, in good weather, or bad times".

"The president of the Republic of Togo is the doyen of the heads of state in Africa, and all his singular achievements have not gone unnoticed", Nana Obuagyan II said.

"As a mark of recognition, we have decided to honour President Eyad?ma with the chieftaincy title of our region to signify that in times of war, he will be at the head of the people, while in times of peace, he remains with the people at all times", the citation went on.

Nana Obuagyan II said his delegation put into consideration these special factors before taking the rare decision to confer the honorary chieftaincy title on President Eyad?ma.

Nana Obuagyan II reminded the people that no one will remain a traditional chief if the people do not like him.

"Since President Eyad?ma became head of state, we have never heard of his people suffering from a civil war, or the state of peace, stability, and security suffering from disturbances", the Ghanaian chief said.

Nana Obuagyan II drew attention to the fact that President Eyad?ma as an apostle of peace has spared no effort to help bring about peace in Sierra-Leone, Guinea-Bissau, La C?te d'Ivoire, and the entire sub-region.

As a result, the Ghanaian traditional rulers enthroned President Eyad?ma on a carved golden stool, complete with the paraphernalia of traditional authority, climaxed with a glittering royal Kente cloth.