A Sixty-year-old Registrar of the University for Development Studies(UDS), Dr A.B.T. Zackaria has been enskinned and outdoored as Chief of Yapei in the Kusawgu Traditional Area of the Savannah Region.

The new Yapeiwura who was outdoored Thursday, appealed for Government and the International Community to consider the role of Traditional Leaders in all development plans.

This way, according to the Chief, will curtail the menace of uncompleted projects in the country.

" The Chieftaincy Institution in Ghana has a major stake in complementing and infrastructural transformation. Being the gateway to all communities in Ghana, the role of Chiefs should be prioritized in the needs assessment of all developmental projects."

" I call for support of all  the Chiefs, Elders and People to chart a new path for the Traditional Area," Dr Zackaria stated

Dr. A.B.T Zackaria's enskinment as Yapeiwura became possible  following the demise of the late Kusawguwura, Samuel Sulemana Ewuntomah Kungarga I last year and the subsequent elevation of the former Yapeiwura , Alhassan Soale III to the  Kusawgu skin.

He used the occassion to pay a glowing tribute to his predicessor for facilitating some major developmental projects in the Traditional Area such as the Yapei Water Supply Project.

"This project, achieved through his effort has addressed the quality drinking Water needs of Yapei and its environs. Also, he facilitated the resumption of lake transport from Akosombo to Yapei through the use of a ferry by a private company. This has offered some jobs to the Youth of the area.

I will endeavour to emulate my predecessor to ensure that I facilitate developmental interventions that will address the needs of the People.

Touching on his priorities for the traditional area, Chief A.B.T. Zackaria  said, " one of the priorities I will set as Yapeiwura will be in the area of education. As who has over Twenty Seven years experience working in a tertiary education setting, I have a strong conviction that development is driven by education.

Quality human resource is what can help in bringing about development and progress in our lives.

In this vain,I entreat all parents to pay particular attention to the educational needs of their children and provide adequate support to them," Yapeiwura Zackaria stated.

He adds, " About Six years ago, I facilitated the donation of books to some Primary and Junior High Schools in YAPEI and Kusawgu. This was meant to augment the reading materials that existed in those schools at that time. I intend to call on relevant agencies to support education in the Yapei area.

Fortunately, the Kusawgu has identified education as one of his priority areas for the Kusawgu Traditional Area. I will lend my full support to him to achieve his vision," he indicated.

On health and Sanitation, needs in YAPEI, Dr. Zackaria said  he would promote healthy living among the people while health institutions and Sanitation agencies would be engaged to ensure proper health care practices  and safety environemnt  within Yapeii and its environs.

"I call on everybody to help keep our surroundings clean and also to report to the nearest health facility for treatment of diseases.

The global pandemic , Covid19, to which many lives have been lost, is still with us. I urge everybody to observe the Covid19 safety protocols , especially , wearing of face masks at all times and thorough washing of hands with soap under running water," he  stressed.

As  an Educationist with a rich background of Development Communication, Doctor A.B.T. Zackaria started his academic career at the University of Cape Coast where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) degree and a Diploma in Education.

He later enrolled in a postgraduate programmed at the University of Legon. He obtained an MSc in Development Communication from the University Putra , Malaysia before enrolling for a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Media and Communicational the University of Leicester , UK.

As the only  remaining pioneer staff of the University for Development Studies, Dr. Zackaria has served  the University for Twenty -Seven years first, as Assistant  Registrar in 1993 and rose through to his current potfolio as the substantive  Registrar of the University for Development Studies in Northern Region.