Naa Dede Odame, I, Queenmother of Otuopai in Greater Accra Region, on Wednesday asked Ghanaians to work towards peace as they await the verdict of the Supreme Court on the 2012 election petition.

Known in private life as Mrs Abigail Ayorkor Addo-Quaye, Chief Editor and Head of the Foreign Desk of Ghana News Agency (GNA), Naa Odame said it is important for Ghana to maintain the peace and forge ahead to ensure development.

In an interview with the GNA to mark her fifth year of ascension to the Otoupai stool, Naa Odame, asked the citizenry to avoid acts that would destabilise the nation.

As part of the fifth anniversary celebration, the Queenmother attended a thanksgiving service at the St Mary the Virgin Anglican Church, Accra with her family as well as Otuopai Mantse and Gbese Mankralo, Nii Tetteh Tsuru II and well-wishers.

The Otuopai stool lands extend from Adabraka, Kokomlemle, Okaishie, Kwadzoman and Akoa Ndor all within the national capital.

Naa Odame said her five-year reign had been successful, with the help of God who had given her life and good health throughout the period.

She noted that as she prepares to retire from the public service soon, she plans to devote more time for her people and also to carry out her teenage pregnancy educational project.

Naa Odame intends to visit various markets within her domain to educate women and especially “Kayayei” (porters) on the need to prevent teenage pregnancy.

She also indicated that with her skills and knowledge acquired in alternative disputes resolution; she would assist the traditional area to settle issues among her subjects more effectively.

The Reverend Canon Solomon Neequaye of the St Andrews Anglican Church, Abossey Okai, who delivered the sermon called on leaders and rulers to depend on God for strength and wisdom.

He said since every authority is given by the Almighty God, no ruler could excel without the Lord.

Naa Odame, who is married with two children, had her education at Achimota Primary school, Aburi Girls Secondary School and Ghana Institute of Journalism.

She worked at “Ideal Woman” (Obaa Sima) - a woman’s magazine from 1974 to 1977 as the Editorial Assistant and in charge of the children’s page under the pen name “Auntie Adobea”.