Mr. Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Minister for Chieftaincy and Culture, has paid courtesy calls on four paramount chiefs in the Asante Akim South District, as part of a day's working visit in the district.
They were Nana Owusu Asiamah, Chief of Obogu Traditional Area, Nana Tiefum Ampratwum, Chief of Ofoase Traditional Area, Nana Ayim Kumnipa, Chief of Gyadam Traditional Area and Nana Asante Abu, Krontinhene of Bompata Traditional Area, who represented Nana Effah Appenteng, chief of Bompata.
Durbars were held in honour of the minister who was accompanied by Mr. Abdul Karim Boakye-Yiadom, the District Chief Executive.
Mr. Boafo, addressing the separate durbars, stressed the need for the image of the chieftaincy institution to be protected in order to effectively play its role as a key partner in national development.
He urged chiefs to take advantage of the respect they command in their areas of jurisdiction to instill in their subjects high sense of patriotism to bring the best out of them in the interest of nation building.
Mr. Boafo asked chiefs to take leading roles in the promotion of peace in the run-up to the elections, adding that they could effectively contribute to peaceful elections.
He said even though chiefs could arbitrate in civil cases at the local level, it was illegal to settle criminal cases without reporting them to the police.
Mr. Boafo urged kingmakers to reduce chieftaincy disputes by ensuring that prospective chiefs were nominated on merit.
Nana Ayim Kumnipa, chief of Gyadam, commended the Minister for the visit and called for a sustained effort to improve the relationship between government and chiefs.