Bolgatanga, July 28, GNA- Paramount chiefs from the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions, at the weekend honoured Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama and seven others for bringing the area to the limelight and contributing to the upliftment of the people. The late President of the Third Republic, Dr Hilla Limann was honoured posthumously. Other award winners comprised Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Peter Cardinal Porkuu Dery, of Tamale Catholic Archdiocese, Mr Clement Kubindiwo Tedam, Member of the Council of State.
The rest were Colonel George Minyilla (Rtd), Ghana's former Ambassador to Burkina Faso, Mr. Robert Akurugu Ajene, a retired educationist, and soccer legend, Abedi Ayew Pele.
Ramsey Sports Stadium in Bolgatanga, where the durbar took place was filled to capacity by Ministers of State, chiefs and their retinue, traditional dancers and a large number of spectators, who were surging to the dais, giving security personnel a hectic time to control them. The three-hour durbar was patronised by over 60 paramount chiefs and some community opinion leaders.
Nayiri Bohogu Mahami Sheriga II, Overlord of Mamprugu Traditional Area, conferred on Vice President Mahama, a symbol of royalty: "The Horse and Sword of Yenega" which is an honour among the Mamprusi-Mole-Dagbani tradition.
Vice President Mahama, who was welcomed at the stadium with cheers amidst drumming and dancing, used the occasion to asked Ghanaians to seek national integration and cohesion. "We are one people, irrespective of religion, tribe, political affiliation or social status. Whether one is a Muslim, Christian or Traditionalist, Ghana is big enough to accommodate all of us," he said. Vice President Mahama who inferred to his desire to become the Flagbearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party said he represented the unity of the country.
"Instead of looking for a Northerner, Southerner, Christian or Muslim, we should be looking for a Ghanaian first. As Ghanaians faithful to our secular Constitution, equitable development ought to be the desire and pride of all."
Vice President Mahama asked northerners to remain united and strong and to wake up with one voice to fight poverty and hunger. "The people of the North would love to hear their chiefs unite behind the national call for increased investment in transport, health and educational infrastructure as well as modernised agriculture." Dr. Chambas, who spoke on behalf of the award winners, expressed the need for the recognition of women who have equally contributed their quota to the development of the North in future.
He mentioned names like the late Susana Alhassan and Hawa Yakubu as potential award winners.
Dr Chambas expressed disatisfaction about the yawning gap between the North and South, especially in the area of education. He said the situation was counter- productive since education was a sure form of social mobility.
Mr. Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Minister of Culture and Chieftaincy affairs, whose speech was read on his behalf, tasked the youth to emulate the shining examples of the award winners by utilising their God given talents selflessly to hasten the development pace of the North. He urged the traditional rulers to champion the cause of peace in their localities since development is elusive in a chaotic environment. Mr Boafo said as part of measures to re-structure the departments and agencies under his sector Ministry, governing councils, which had over-stayed their mandate would be re-constituted to bring them in line with current Government policies and strategies.
Naa Dr. Puor-Ku Chiire II, Paramount Chief of Nandon Traditional Area, who chaired the function, called on President John Agyekum Kufuor to push more development projects to the North where poverty is endemic.
