Nadowli (Upper West Region), 19 July '99,

Mr John Mahama, Minister for Communication on Saturday led a government delegation to the final funeral rites of the late paramount chief of the Nadowli traditional area, Alhaji Abdulai Dapilaa Dassa, who died on May six this year at the age of 105.

Mr Mahama presented one million cedis, one bag each of millet and rice, five cartons of beer and five crates of soft drinks to the bereaved family on behalf of the government.

He described the late paramount chief as " a development minded chief" who co-operated with the government for the progress of his area.

He appealed to the chiefs and people to unite and make sure that the right candidate is chosen to succeed the late chief.

Mr Mahama advised them not to allow Naa Dassa's death to draw back development in the area adding that, " in trying to find a successor avoid litigation and disputes."

He hoped his successor would maintain the good working relations the government enjoyed from the late paramount chief.

Earlier, Mr Mahama had led the delegation to Sabule in the Jirapa Lambussie district, to pay their last respect to Mr Maurice Kpiembarah, the 45 year old district director of agriculture at Bole who was killed by an ex-warrant officer, Ebenezer Quaynor, on June 24 in Accra.

Mr Mahama advised the people to exercise restraint and gave the assurance that the government would ensure that justice takes its course.

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), presented an amount of 8.1 million cedis to the bereaved family.

Five million cedis out of the amount are to be invested in treasury bills to cater for the education of the two children of the deceased.

Members of the delegation included the IGP, Mr Peter Nanfuri, Alhaji Amidu Sulemana, Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Francis Korbieh Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development and Mr David Osei Wusu, Upper West Regional Minister.

GRi