Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, out-going Eastern Regional Minister, on Monday pleaded with chiefs to readily release lands for Government development projects in their areas.
He noted that Government projects such as afforestation and block farming could suffer a set back if lands were not made available towards their implementation.
Mr Ofosu-Ampofo made the appeal when Okowia Dwomo Baabu II, Chief of Effiduase in the New Juaben Municipality and his elders, paid a courtesy call on him in his office in Koforidua.
The chiefs went there to show appreciation for the good works Mr Ofosu-Ampofo had done during his tenure as the Regional Minister and to wish him well in his new role as the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development.
Mr Ofosu-Ampofo noted that despite the heterogeneous nature of the region, comprising of so many tribes, the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) was able to forge good relations with all the traditional authorities.
He indicated that efforts were being made to solve the Akwamu chieftaincy dispute soon.
Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said for the first time in many years the RCC was able to bring all the Akuapem Chiefs together to iron out their differences.
He said chiefs could not be left out in the Local Government system and pledged the government’s commitment to support chiefs in all their endeavours to enable them to play their roles effectively.
Okowia Baabu, on behalf of his elders, assured the out-going regional minister that they would co-operate with his successor to be able to move the development agenda of New Juaben Municipality and the whole of the region forward.