Mahama Pledges Stronger Partnership with Traditional Authorities at Meeting with Northern Chiefs

ACCRA — by Seth Yeboah

President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a structured partnership with traditional authorities, describing chiefs as indispensable to nation-building.

The pledge came yesterday when President Mahama received a courtesy call from the Northern Regional House of Chiefs at the Jubilee House.

Speaking during the meeting, the President said traditional leaders remain anchored in legitimacy, culture, and trust, and must be fully integrated into governance, project monitoring, and community development efforts.

Under the Reset Agenda, Mahama announced plans to institutionalize collaboration between traditional leaders and District Assemblies. The initiative will include regular coordination meetings and joint monitoring of critical infrastructure projects to enhance transparency, accountability, and delivery.

The President outlined major interventions underway across the Northern Region, including investments in agriculture, roads, education, healthcare, water systems, and rural electrification. He said the region is being positioned as a key driver of Ghana’s transformation and food security agenda.

Mahama also called for intensified collaboration between chiefs, youth groups, and security agencies to combat drug abuse. He said priority will be given to completing key health infrastructure, including the psychiatric hospital in Mion and a new cardio center in Tamale.

He further assured the Northern Regional House of Chiefs that the government will strengthen the institutional capacity of traditional authorities, including support for the completion of the Northern Regional House of Chiefs Secretariat.

The Northern Regional House of Chiefs, in response, pledged its full partnership with the government and committed to actively supporting development efforts from conception to completion.

The meeting forms part of the government’s broader engagement with traditional authorities under the Reset Agenda to decentralize development monitoring and strengthen local governance structures.