The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Tawiah III have held talks in London to discuss matters of national interest. King Tackie Tawiah III who was in London to interact with United Kingdom government officials on the educational and youth development of his people was paying a courtesy call on Otumfour Osei Tutu 11 who is currently in London for a private visit at his private residence in London. The two prominent Ghanaian traditional heads took the opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues including education, health, culture and social development not only about the people in the two traditional areas but regarding the nation generally. They discussed the need to seal collaboration with non government and governmental organisations to facilitate development in the Ghanaian communities especially the on the need to fast track rural development. In the view of the two traditional rulers, though development in Ghana is comparatively higher, there was the need to push all developmental agenda on board with traditional rulers around the country actively involving their subjects and themselves in all such development programmes initiated locally or by the central government. Speaking to the this reporter later, King Tackie Tawiah III said active political party activities are of no special interest to traditional rulers, “naturally, whichever political party is in power has the overriding authority and the responsibility of us as heads of traditional areas is to first ensure effective understanding among ourselves so as to ensure the ultimate for our people.” He noted. The Ga Mantse observed that a lot has been achieved by the Asantehene in his 10 year ruler-ship which has seen a number of chieftaincy and other disputes settled thus ensuring peace and stability, provision of avenues such as scholarships and infrastructure towards the development of education in certain parts of Ghana and said these are shiny examples which need to be emulated by all. He urged other traditional leaders in the country not take undue advantage of their subjects but to put in greater efforts than before to provide developmental strides that would provide for their people greater things. King Tackie Tawiah III was of the view that the sharper political ends, which are creeping into chieftaincy, must rather be blunted by the larger interest of the people so that the trust and confidence among traditional rulers may be experienced by the people. This he noted will be the focal point of national development that can be seriously supported by chiefs and kings of the land of Ghana, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II on his part expressed delight in the tremendous amiable relationships between traditional rulers in the Ghana and urged citizens to emulate irrespective of whatever affiliation. For him, unless differences are put away and the people develop and maintain an achievable focus, little or nothing will be achieved as a nation, addling that people’s vision must be to help build a sound community for the people of today, and the future. Credit: Nana Sifa Twum, London