Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, Volta Regional Minister, has said the role of traditional leaders in governance and development remain crucial at all times.

He said Chiefs were no longer interested in conquering territories as it was in the past, but now concerned about promoting the welfare and development of the people through traditional festivals which discussed development projects.

Dr Letsa said this in a speech read on his behalf by Mr Ernest Quist, Kpando Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) during non-denominational thanksgiving service to commemorate the first anniversary of peace and reunion of the Akpini Traditional Area held in Kpando.

He said the age old Akpini Chieftaincy dispute had deprived the good people of Kpando lots of economic and social developments, which was as a result of inability of the Paramountcy to install a substantive chief.

Dr Letsa said "where there is unity, there is strength; and where there is strength, there is development because it is only with a united front that Kpando would get back to her glorious days."

The Regional Minister noted that chiefs and elders also served as symbol of unity when people get divided along political lines adding that "the 1992 Constitution of Ghana prohibits Chiefs from actively engaging in partisan politics in order to unite the people for a common goal after political season."

He also touched on the dispute settlement roles of Chiefs among their subjects to ensure that there was peace and harmony in the community.

Dr Ernest Aculey Ansah, Founder of Akpini Elite Group told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on the side-lines of the event, that the process involved in uniting the various chiefs in the traditional area was a difficult one.

He said the Group aimed at working closely with Chiefs to help them patch up any differences they had between themselves to progress to do much more for the Akpini Traditional Area.

The Founder said the Group would educate and empower the youth of the area especially the young ladies in order to get them some jobs.

Mrs Della Sowah, Member of Parliament (MP) of Kpando Constituency commended the Akpini Elite Group for their efforts in uniting the area adding that "we are looking forward to a better unity after today."

She said she would use her percentage of the resources available to the Assembly for the needed developmental projects.