Koforidua, May 29, GNA - A Uganda Government delegation, on Friday paid a courtesy call on Mr. Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, Eastern Regional Minister, in Koforidua.

The two-member delegation led by Mr. Gabriel Opio, Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development, is on a two-day visit of the country to study the relationship between Central Government and leaders of traditional and cultural institutions.

He said that Uganda used to have strong traditional institutions until the arrival of the colonial masters and later due to their opposition to the "whites", all the institutions, including powerful kingdoms were abolished. Mr. Opio said that in 1995, the Government of Uganda decided to recognize the role of traditional institutions and cultural leaders and their involvement in development programmes.

He said that the government supported members of traditional or cultural institutions with allowances, security, houses, transportation, and they travel by first class airlines and the rehabilitation of existing institutional residences was taking place. Mr. Opio said that the visit would enable the team to understand the collaboration between Ghana's Central Government and the traditional and cultural institutions. He said it would also afford the delegation the opportunity to study the history of the evolution and cohesion of the traditional leaders in governance, constitutional provisions, laws and policies supporting traditional or cultural leaders, and also to learn about the government's financing mechanisms for the institutions, in Ghana. Mr. Ofosu-Ampofo said government of Ghana recognizes the role of traditional leaders in socio-economic development. He said that although there had been few challenges confronting the chieftaincy institution in Ghana, such as conflicts and disputes, its role could not be over-emphasized in modern developmental agenda. Mr. Ofosu-Ampofo said that chieftaincy in Ghana plays a significant role in governance at the local, districts, regional and national levels through the appointment of 30 percent of traditional leaders into the district assemblies and the inclusion of the President of the National House of Chiefs and other chiefs in the Council of State. The delegation also paid a courtesy call on President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs, Daasebre Professor Emeritus Oti Boateng in his palace in Koforidua

The traditional ruler, who is also Omanhene of the New Juaben Traditional Area, said that recent claim by some people that the chieftaincy institution has out-lived its relevance and should be abolished, was unfortunate and asked such people to reconsider their decision. He said that chieftaincy would remain relevant to the socio-economic and political development of the country and any one or group of people who would champion its abolition would fail.