Wa, Jan. 28, GNA - The Upper West Regional House of Chiefs has applauded President John Evans Atta Mills for declaring to be the father of all Ghanaians and not any particular political party, during his inauguration as President of the Republic. The chiefs said they were inspired by this declaration stressing "you have by this declaration initiated the necessary steps towards re-uniting the people of this country, which got politically polarized especially during the period before the elections".

The chiefs said this in a statement issued at Wa to congratulate President Mills and Vice President John Dramani Mahama on their election to the two highest executive positions of the nation. They pledged to stand solidly behind the President and his government to enable him achieve his developmental agenda and make the country a better place for all Ghanaians. The statement reminded the President about the wide development gap between the North and South, and called on the new government to put a special scheme in place to bridge the gap.

They commended Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo, Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party for accepting the results of the run-off and congratulated the Electoral Commission, the media, National Peace Council, security agencies and the various international observer teams for the neutral roles they played that ensured the success of the polls. The Chiefs also commended former President Kufuor for facilitating a smooth transition of power to the new government and congratulated him for his positive disposition and commitment to upholding the constitutional order.