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President Mills, has on behalf of Government, presented the National House of Chiefs (NHC), with a cheque of GHC500,000 as seed capital for the establishment of the Ghana House of Chiefs Endowment Fund (GHOCEF). President Atta Mills made the presentation when the Standing Committee of the NHC, led by its Chairman, Wulugu Naba Pugansoa, Naa Professor John S. Nabila, visited the seat of government to pay a courtesy call on the President and to welcome him back home after visiting the United States for a routine medical check-up. Thanking the chiefs for their prayers, support, and warm wishes during the period he has been in charge of the affairs of State, His Excellency President Atta Mills said the chieftaincy institution is a revered one, and that the visit of the chiefs has raised the image of the institution to higher heights. According to President Atta Mills, the show of concern by the chiefs is a clear testimony that they are the real fathers of the nation � who have the wellbeing of the nation at heart. �I am touched by the show of concern and support, and I can assure you that God has given me more than enough energy for the task ahead� President Atta Mills said. Touching on the election, President Atta Mills assured the revered traditional leaders that all would be done to ensure that the nation comes out of the election with stronger democratic credentials. �The election is not a do and die affair; and I can assure you that Ghana will remain in existence after the election� President Atta Mills said. President Atta Mills made the point that his doors are always open to the wise counsel of the NHC and that the chiefs should not hesitate to reach him anytime the need arises. On his part, the Chairman of the Standing Committee, Naa Professor John S. Nabila, assured the President of their continued support and prayers; adding that God the master healer, will continue to grant the President good health to lead the nation. �It is our belief that the Good Lord who made you our Leader, will continue to take good care of you� Professor Nabila said. Thanking President Atta Mills for Government�s hefty support for the Endowment Fund as well as the chieftaincy institution, Naa Professor Nabila, said the Fund is being set up to, inter alia, �enhance the ability of the traditional authorities to fulfil their responsibility of ensuring peaceful relations among communities, ethnic groups, and regions, beyond what is possible through the limited government budgetary allocations.� The Fund is also being set up to enhance the independence of the traditional authorities in order to strengthen their ability to promote national peace and stability. According to Naa Professor Nabila, income generated by the Fund would be used to, underwrite programmes that are not adequately funded by government, as well as, pursuing educational and other special initiatives that will support the strengthening of the chieftaincy institution. The initial target for the Fund is GHC3,000,000, with the aim of growing it to GHC20,000,000 in the next ten years. Also touching on the election, Naa Professor Nabila, thanked the President for providing the Electoral Commission with the needed resources to effectively discharge its duties and pledged the support of the chieftaincy institution to ensure that Ghana continues to be a beacon of democracy, peace, and stability. �Your Excellency, the preservation of the peace and stability that has made Ghana unique, is a shared responsibility, and we would like to assure you that the National House of Chiefs will continue to play its role� Naa Professor Nabila said. Other members of the NHC Standing Committee who were at the Castle, include, Awulae Attibrukusu III, President of the Western Regional House of Chiefs and Vice President of the National House of Chiefs, Osahene Kwaku Aterkyi II, Kukuomhene and President of the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, Dasebre (Prof) Oti Boateng, President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs, Nene Abram Kabu Akuaku III, Ada Mantse and President of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia of Ho Asogli and President of Volta Regional House of Chiefs and Pe Charles Awia Awampaga II, Paga Pio and President of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs.