The Patron of the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), Dr Obed Yao Asamoah, has stressed the need for the chieftaincy institution to be integrated into the local government system to facilitate growth and development at the grassroots level. "This practice is necessary because the government does not have representatives in every community and if chiefs are adopted as local representatives of the government, it would enhance the implementation of polices and programmes in every community," he stressed. Dr Asamoah, who is a former National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), made the suggestion in separate addresses in Nangodi, Zebilla, Bawku, Tempane and Garu, all in the Upper East Region, when he accompanied the flag bearer of the DFP, Mr Emmanuel Ansah-Antwi, and national executive members of the party to pay a courtesy call on the paramount chiefs in those areas. The courtesy call was part of the DFP's familiarisation tour of the Upper East Region to solicit the support of the chiefs in their bid to win the December polls and to invigorate the party's supporters to be committed in their cause. The national executive members who undertook the tour were Mr Bede Ziedeng, the General Secretary, Mr Hilla Bawa, Public Education Officer, Mr Gilbert Barnor, Deputy Public Education Officer and Madam Ruby Forson, Treasurer. The rest were Madam Franklina Asamoah, Women's Organiser; Madam Elsie Mensah, Deputy Organiser and Mr Bampil Badeapo Duut, the Deputy Youth Organiser. Dr Asamoah indicated that the practice where the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) supporters and officials were accusing and insulting each other at the least provocation would not help in the growth of democracy in the country." He observed that the rhetoric of the NPP and the NDC attested to the fact that the December election would not be based on issues but personality attacks, saying that "the DFP would never conduct its politics in that manner”. He, therefore, pointed out that the DFP would introduce a new dawn in Ghana's politics by shunning insults, vilifications and vengeance in its campaigning, saying that "we must imbue religious and moral intolerance in our politics". The DFP patron called on the various political parties to adopt a decent political culture, where insults and vilifications would be ignored and policies and programmes addressed. Dr Asamoah gave the assurance that the DFP was the best alternative to sustain the peace and tranquillity that the country was enjoying. He advised the youth not to allow unscrupulous politicians to negatively influence them to indulge in indecent politicking and that "the youth must take their destiny into their own hands because they are the future leaders and that is why our party chose a youth as our flag bearer". He said the DFP stood for peace, unity and development and called on the electorate to give them the chance to govern the country so that hope and confidence would be restored to them. Source: Daily Graphic