Minister pays courtesy call on Gukpe Naa of Tamale

Mr. Moses Bukari Mabengba, Northern Regional Minister, on Friday paid a courtesy call on Gukpe Naa of Tamale, Naa Alhassan Abdulai, to congratulate him on his enskinment.

Mr. Mabengba, who led a delegation made up of Mr. San Nasamu Asabigi, Deputy Northern Regional Minister, and executives of the Northern Regional Secretariat of the National Democratic Congress, was received at the Gukpegu Palace by the Gukpe Naa and his elders.

Naa Abdulai was enskined in March this year, following the death of his predecessor, Gukpe Naa Abdulai Bukari, in 1996.

The Minister expressed hope that the good working relationship that the regional administration enjoyed from the Gukpegu Palace would be sustained, and wished Naa Abdulai long life and a successful reign.

Mr. Mabengba assured the Gukpe Naa that the regional administration would support him in his rule.

The Minister appealed to the Gukpe Naa to impress on his people, especially the youth, to remain law-abiding.

Naa Abdulai pledged that the traditional rulers would support Government in its efforts aimed at bringing development to the region.

He called on Government to release subsidized fertilizers on time to enable farmers, who had already planted crops, to purchase the input.

Naa Abdulai called on the security agencies to check lawlessness in the Tamale Metropolis.

In a response to the concerns expressed by the Gukpe Naa, Mr. Mabengba said discussions were ongoing to ensure the release of subsidized fertilizers onto the system.

He appealed to the chiefs in the metropolis to support the assembly to tackle lawlessness.**