Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia on Tuesday inaugurated the newly created Oti and the Northern Regional House of Chiefs.

The inauguration ceremonies were held separately in Dambai and Tamale respectively to usher in new eras, following the creation of six new regions in the country.

While the Oti Regional House of Chiefs is a newly established entity, the Northern Regional House of Chiefs was reconstituted due to the creation of the Savannah and North East Regions.

Speaking under both events, the Vice President said the creation of new regions was necessitated by the need to quicken the process of development, adding that, the decision has seen a change in the administrative boundaries of the country.

"This change has also affected the structure and management of Chieftaincy institutions, and as a result, we have to form new Regional Houses of Chiefs, particularly in our new Regions," Dr. Bawumia said.

He also recounted and acknowledged the importance of Chiefs to the country.

"Chiefs and traditional authority played very significant roles in our liberation efforts. We can recall the contribution of very important Chiefs who stood to protect our land and natural resources, who championed our rights and liberties, and were in the forefront in spearheading our social-economic, cultural and political charge.

Without the active involvement of our chiefs, perhaps the cause of our economic and political roadmap would have taken a different character.  I pay homage to them.

You will continue to be the upholders of our national values and aspirations as a society. So much so that even when our fellow Ghanaians leave our shores, and can be free of the influence of chieftaincy, they create Chiefs and Queenmothers wherever they find themselves" he said.

Dr. Bawumia also mentioned that government is committed to making strides in development concerning the National House of Chiefs, as it has already begun.

Traditional rulers in the Oti Region in expressing gratitude said that the initiative has given them an identity.

Meanwhile in Tamale, the President of the Northern Regional House of Chiefs, Ya Na Abdulai II, said the creation of the new region would deepen decentralisation and participatory democracy, which he hopes will ensure equitable distribution of national resources in the new regions.

He highlighted important roles chiefs play in governance, and called on government to allocate more resources to the various House of Chiefs in the country in order to aid execution of roles.

As part of the effort to support and equip the Oti Regional House of Chiefs, the Vice President cut the sod for the construction of a new secretariat and presented two brand new vehicles to them.

He was accompanied by the Minister for Regional Reorganisation and Development Dan Botwe, Minister Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Kofi Dzamesi.

Similar inauguration ceremonies have been held for the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo Regions.

Last week Vice President Bawumia also inaugurated the reconstituted Western Regional House of Chiefs.

He is expected to do the same at the North East and Savannah Regional House of Chiefs on Wednesday, September 23rd.