Consider Chiefs for Ministerial Appointments-Foundation

Kumasi, Feb. 7, GNA- The Atta Mills Foundation, a pro-democracy Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), has underscored the need to consider Chiefs for ministerial appointments to accelerate the nation's socio-economic development. It also called for the institution of proactive measures to allow traditional rulers to take active part in Ghanaian politics in the future.

Togbui Mawufeame Fugah, Life Patron of the Foundation, made the call at

a meeting in Kumasi at the weekend.

He explained that traditional rulers, by their training, knowledge and expertise were in a position to contribute effectively to the national development process and that, "it would not be out of place to give them ministerial positions or allow them to take active part in politics for the realization of the nation's development goals". The Life Patron said, since traditional rulers were also very in tune with the people at the grass roots, it would be easier for them to explain government policies effectively to the people if they were made to take active part in politics.

Madam Beatrice Adongo, a leading member of the Foundation, congratulated the new government for living up to expectation since being given the mandate last month, stressing that the nomination of young and dynamic people coupled with experienced ones had testified that President John Evans Atta Mills would deliver on his campaign promises.

She expressed the hope that a lot more women would be given other key positions for the betterment of women's empowerment. Madam Adongo appealed to traders, especially those in the Ashanti Region to shun arbitrary increase in food prices and also urged Ghanaians not to defame the character of innocent ministers-designate with the intention of scoring cheap political points to foster national unity and social cohesion. 07 Feb. 09