Mr. Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, Akatsi North Member of Parliament (MP), has called for reverence for, and the preservation of Ghana’s rich customs and traditions in the interest of national development.

The MP also called for respect for traditional rulers, saying the traditional structure remained the country’s life wire, and its collapse through disregard, would lead to a major social dislocation and chaos.

Mr Nortsu-Kotoe was speaking at Ave-Dakpa, during the commissioning of a fence wall he financed around the ‘Awoame’ – an ancient meeting place of the chiefs of the Ave Traditional Area, for discussion and decision on isues.

The “Awoame”, made up of a single block, part with some religious relics and a large compound, still remains a meeting place for chiefs of the area.

Chiefs of other communities, including Ave-Edzi, Ave-Alaogbe, Ave-Adzanu and Ave-Kevey, which are now Togolese communities, no longer use the place.

Mr. Nortsu-Kotoe noted that the country’s traditional heritage represented the base for the tourism industry.

He asked the chiefs to continuously use the centre for peaceful deliberations.

The MP asked the Community Water Committee to verify complaints of comparable higher water tariff by the people.

Mr. James Gunu, Akatsi North District Chief Executive (DCE), entreated traditional authorities to avoid the use of their positions to forment trouble, but to promote educational development.

He bemoaned the collapse of the family structure, and poor child up-bringing, and asked chiefs to help address general indiscipline.

He said the Assembly was on course with all development plans, and urged voters to come out to vote in the Local Assembly elections.

Togbi Nyamekor Glakpe IV, Paramount Chief of the area, commended the MP and the DCE for their unity and focus for development, and pledged that the Awoame would be interested in the well being of the people.

The MP was enstooled as a development chief, and the DCE presented him with a dress as souvenir.