The Paramount Chief of the Kumbungu Traditional Area in the Northern Region, Kumbungu Naa Alhaji Abu Iddrisu, has entreated the country's politicians to avoid spewing out hate messages as part of their campaign for the 2008 elections. According to him, as a country we should be thinking of how to restore calm in our troubled spots so as to have a peaceful election rather than compromising the peace currently prevailing in other parts of the country. "If we plant seeds of hatred and suspicion in the minds of our people, whoever wins political power would not be able to achieve realistic development targets, since there would be no peace," he stated. Kumbungu-Naa Alhaji Iddrisu made the call when the General Secretary of the Convention People's Party (CPP), Mr Ivor Kwabena Greenstreet, called him to present the latest edition of "Ghana Jubilee Register 2007-2009", an 812-page reference document on Ghana. The book contains important information on Ghana's government structures, chieftaincy institution, local government, commerce and security, as well as details of the personalities who run all these institutions. "We in Kumbungu are living peacefully and tolerating each others' political views and would therefore not welcome any politician who would come and destroy this peace just to win political power," Kumbungu-Naa maintained. He further reminded other chiefs in the country of the need to stay away from active politics, as provided in the Constitution of the country. According to him, there were several implications arising when chiefs declared support for various political heads who visited them. "As traditional leaders, we need not compromise the trust, respect and obedience that we have from our subjects, who obviously have various political lineage," he said. The Kumbungu Naa said it was enough for chiefs to welcome political leaders and allow them to give their messages rather than declaring support for them. "I would continue to welcome every politician who comes here with a message for my people, provided he comes in good faith and I would wish the person good luck," he stressed. Mr Greenstreet expressed contentment over the call made by the Kumbungu-Naa and assured him of the CPP's commitment to responsible politicking. He said he had personally come to give a copy of the book to the Kumbungu Naa because he had earlier promised to do so during the compilation of the book, adding that the Kumbungu Naa and his area were adequately covered in the book. Mr Greenstreet took the opportunity to introduce Mr Peter Ibrahim Neindow, a 38-year-old banker with the Bonzali Rural Bank, as the CPP parliamentary candidate for the constituency in the upcoming elections. Source: Daily Graphic