Ho, Sept 3, GNA - Mr Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, Ministry of Information and National Orientation, said government would not compromise its authority and powers of maintaining peace, law and order in the country.

He urged chiefs to re-orientate their people to enable them help propel the country towards development.

Mr Asamoah Boateng, was speaking when he paid a courtesy call on chiefs of Asogli at Ho, as part of a day's official interaction with District Information Officers and District Chief Executives in the Volta Region.

He appealed to traditional rulers to call politicians to order when they were found wanting as far as safeguarding peace in the country was concerned. He said no credible politician would ignore the admonishment of chiefs, the custodians of the land adding "Politicians come and go abut chieftaincy is permanent". Mr Boateng asked chiefs to ensure that their people avoided violence as the country moved towards the elections. He said "Election is not an excuse for violence, rather it is a time to trade in ideas to enable the citizenry to choose the best from among those ideas." Mr Boateng said the country has a bright future and each citizen must be alive to witness and enjoy. Togbe Kasa III, a Senior Divisional Chief of Asogli, asked the Ministry to ensure that its Information Services Unit educate the citizenry on the need for peaceful elections in December towards national development. He said the Ministry and its related agencies would not be absolved from blame should the peace of the country be compromised in this year's election. Togbe Kasa gave the assurance that the region would be a haven of peace before, during and after the 2008 Election.