Guo (U/W), May 07, GNA - Mr Ambrose Dery, the Upper West Regional Minister, has appealed to traditional rulers in the north to strive to emulate the inspiring leadership style of the Asantehene and the Okyenhene by effectively playing their role as agents of change and development.

He said the exemplary leadership by the two great chiefs in bringing investments and developments to their people demonstrated that the chieftaincy institution was as relevant today as it was in the pre-colonial era.

Mr Dery said this at the outdooring of the new divisional chief of Guo in the Nandom Traditional Area. The new divisional chief, 54-year-old businessman, is known as Guo-Naa Gongyang Gyiele IV. He said the institution had come under criticism as a result of the numerous chieftaincy disputes that impact negatively on socio-economic development of many traditional areas. Mr Dery suggested that the institution should open its doors to constructive criticisms and suggestions if it is to continue to enjoy the recognition and respect that it deserves.

Mr George Sule, Lawra District Chief Executive, said Guo and some other communities in the district would soon be hooked to the national electricity grid and that the assembly would build a palace for the chief from its share of the HIPC fund.

Naa Puore Puobe Chiiri, the Paramount Chief of the Nandom Traditional Area, advised the new chief to commit himself to serving his people with dedication so as to win their trust, loyalty and respect. The Guo-naa promised to make the development of the area his priority and also promised to promote education particularly girls, by getting parents to send their children to school.