Alhaji Amidu Sulemana, Upper West Regional Minister, on Saturday applauded the efforts of opinion leaders for working together to maintain unity and peace in the Region.

He, however, called on them to continue talking to the youth to stay clean from violence or allow themselves, to be used to foment troubles during and after the December 7 general elections.

“This year is a critical period for Ghana in its quest for democracy and all stakeholders must play their roles appropriately to ensure successful elections”, he said.

Alhaji Sulemana made the call when he paid a courtesy call on opinion leaders in Wa to introduce himself to them and seek for their blessings and cooperation in administering the Region.

He said he was prepared to work with everybody to bring development to the Region and urged those with specialized skills not to hesitate to avail themselves to the Regional Coordinating Council for the rapid development of the region.

He told the opinion leaders to encourage their people to turn out and register their names when the Biometric Voter Registration exercise begins on March 24th, 2012.

Alhaji Sulemana, who also paid a courtesy call on the Most Reverend Paul Bemile, Catholic Bishop of Wa, commended the church for complementing government’s development efforts in providing education, health, agricultural and water facilities for the people.

Alhaji Issahaque Yakubu, Chief Imam of Wa, urged Ghanaians to learn to do the right things, pointing out that doing that would lead to building a formidable nation.

Alhaji Yakubu pledged their unflinching support for Alhaji Sulemana to bring development to the region.

Bishop Bemile said what Ghanaians needed most during this election year was reconciliation, justices and peace.

He advised Alhaji Sulemana to do well and complete all ongoing development projects that were started by the out-going Regional Minister.

He appealed to him to give priority to the development of roads in the Region, especially, the Nadowli–Lawra–Hamile road to link neighbouring Burkina Faso to promote trade.

Bishop Bemile also appealed to government to support the church in providing a lecture hall and a dining hall for St. France Xavier Senior High School in Wa.

Similar courtesy calls were paid to the Yeri-Naa, Alhaji Mustapha Mogtari, the Tendamba (Landlord) and leaders of the Pentecostal Churches.