Sekondi, March 8, GNA - Awulae Attibrukusu III, President of the Western Regional House of Chiefs said chiefs must learn from their past mistakes and plan ahead.

He said it does not matter how much the region produces, its development could be delayed due to protracted chieftaincy disputes. Awulae Attibkrukusu said these at an emergency meeting of the House at Sekondi on Tuesday.

"My appeal to Nananom is to create a new image for the house of chiefs to enable us command the needed respect from non chiefs," he added.

The President said the Nkabom Afahye, which was recently celebrated in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis was meant to unite the chiefs, and not to divide them and all efforts must be made to ensure unity among all.

"It is sad to observe that we keep dragging ourselves to the courts and as I speak, there are two cases involving some members of the house pending before the courts" he lamented.

Awulae Attibrukusu appealed to the government to increase the allowances of the chiefs and urged the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) to assist it to complete its guesthouse.

Mr Joseph B. Aidoo, Western Regional Minister said, though some "faceless" people attempted to use the name of the House to discredit him during the vetting of ministers, "I bear no grudge against anybody". He said though there was a lot of suspicion and fear among members of the House, he was not responsible and therefore, appealed to the chiefs to work at resolving whatever problems that hinders their operations.

"I am not the enemy of the House, but you are your own enemy, you have divided the house of chiefs yourselves and do not like and trust each other" he stressed.

Mr Aidoo said it would be an unpardonable mistake, if leaders in the region fail to register the region in the development pages of chapter two of the government's policy of positive change" he stressed. Mr Aidoo therefore, appealed to members to unite, work together as a team, speak with a common voice and work closely as rulers of their respective areas.