Tamale, Sept. 14, GNA - The Nayiri, Naa Mahamu Abdulai Sheriga, paramount chief of Mamprugu Traditional Area, was by popular acclamation elected as the President of the Northern Region House of Chiefs in Tamale on Monday. The Nayiri who was the sole candidate at the close of nomination succeeds the Yagbonwura, Bawa Doshie, the paramount chief of the Gonja Traditional Area.

The supervising High Court judge, Justice Vincent C. Doegah who swore Naa Sheriga into office to serve a four-year term, advised him to initiate positive measures towards the settlement of chieftaincy disputes towards the development of the region. He said the law mandate Houses of Chiefs to deal with all matters affecting the chieftaincy institution. Mr Charles Bintin, deputy Northern Regional Minister, who stood in for

Mr Ernest Debrah, the Regional Minister, urged the new President of the House to collaborate with other traditional rulers to resolve chieftaincy disputes in the region. He advised the people of Dagbon to exercise restraint before, during and after the 2004 General Election and said they should not take undue advantage of the lifting of the state of emergency in the area to cause violence and wanton destruction of life and property. Naa Sheriga expressed gratitude to government for lifting the state of emergency and said he would work together with other chiefs to ensure peace and stability in the area. Five other traditional chiefs were also sworn into office as members of the House.