Larteh (E/R), Oct 5, GNA - The President, Mr John Agyekum Kufuor, on Saturday appealed to traditional rulers to uphold themselves far above reproach for their subjects to continue to accord them the recognition and respect they deserve. He said in spite of constitutional guarantees for resolving problems and disputes involving the chieftaincy, there were still a number of chieftaincy disputes on land and ascension all over the country.

President Kufuor made the appeal in an address read for him by Mr Kwadwo Adjei-Darko, Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, at a durbar of the chiefs and people of the Larteh, to mark 10th anniversary of the enstoolment of Osabarima Nana Asiedu Okoo Ababio, Owure of Akwapim Guan, at Akwapim Larteh. The colourful celebration also climaxed this year's celebration of the annual Odwira festival.

President Kufuor commended chiefs on their role in complementing government's efforts at promoting good governance at the local level, and stressed that chiefs and traditional authorities, as frontiers had a place in a decentralised structure of the district level, which depends on people's participation in decision making for progress. "You must be substantially involved at this point in time when we are seeking to redefine our values as a society, shape our attitudes, redefine our priorities, re-appraise and evaluate our traditional and customary practices," the President said.

President Kufuor said the Government is disposed to removing any obstacles that stand in the way of chiefs, and is prepared to share the perception of chiefs on effective ways their experiences and wisdom could impact on local governance to make the desire impact. The President referred to the Chieftaincy Act of 1971, Act 370 which relate to land administration and customary practices, and remind chiefs, as custodians of land, that it was expected of them to help the district assemblies top produce proper layouts for the communities and farmlands.

President Kufuor gave the assurance that Government was not out to take over lands belonging to chiefs but rather to inject discipline into land administration to stem the tide of the chaos in the system. He called on traditional rulers, as vital link between the people and government, to develop an effective partnership with the assemblies to promote good governance at the local level.

The President said the construction of drains for the Larteh Township and the rehabilitation of the roads would soon begin to complement the development projects already underway. These include the construction of a six-unit classroom block and ancillary facilities for the Salvation Army School, Home Economics Block for the Benkum Secondary School, Girls Dormitory, and Butchers Shop with funding from HIPC, and KVIP toilet facilities with DANIDA support for the Larteh Presbyterian JSS and another KVIP toilet for the Benkum Secondary School.

President Kufuor said the District was seeking the public-private partnership to build conference halls and other recreational facilities to enhance tourism and recreational activities to enhance tourism.

Dr Eugenia Danquah-Quist, District Chief Executive for Akwapim North stressed the need for the chiefs and the people to maintain the peace in the area to attract more investment. She decried the spate of indiscipline and immorality among the youth and called on the chiefs to come up with plans that would benefit the youth.

Dr Danquah-Quist said revenue mobilisation had become a big problem to the Assembly, because many people in the District had refused to co-operate and advised the people against littering the environment and adopt pragmatic measure to improve sanitation. The DCE advised the people to show more interest in the development of the Akonedi Shrine and the Rev Samuel Otu Memorial Church as tourist sites to generate more revenue for development.

Osabarima Ababio commend President Kufuor on his excellent leadership that had won him the ECOWAS Chairmanship. Nana Ababio said educational development was his priority, hence the institution of the Akwapim Guan Education Trust Fund, from an initial 10 million cedis which was being used to fund the education of 10 brilliant but needy students at the post basic level.

Osabarima Ababio appealed to the Government to improve the telecommunication system in the area and to reduce the activities of chainsaw operators to stop the destruction of cocoa farms. Mr Kwaku Amoah-Awuah, Minister in the First Republic, who chaired the ceremony expressed concern about the drop-out rate of junior and senior secondary school pupils in the area, and said the Traditional Council would use part of the proceeds of the Educational Fund to establish vocational schools to train pupils who could not enter secondary schools to acquire trade skills.

Eight Distinguished Larteh personalities who had contributed to the development of the Larteh community were honoured. The Government and the District Assembly donated an amount of three million cedis, a crate each of Schnapps, and soft drinks. Present at the ceremony were Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Minister for Tourism and the Modernisation of the Capital City, Mr Dan Botwe, NPP General Secretary and other top government and party officials. 05 Sept. 03