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Dr Henry Seidu Daannaa, Minister for Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs has given the assurance that the allowances of paramount chiefs in arrears for five months since last year, will soon be paid. He said the Ministry of Finance had released funds for payment, and assured the chiefs that the money would soon be paid into their various acciounts. He added that the allowances for the first quarter of the year is being worked out, and asked the chiefs to exercise restraint as government is committed at re-positioning the chieftaincy institution, to enable it contribute its quota towards national development. Dr. Daannaa gave the assurance when he paid a courtesy call on Lower and Upper Traditional authorities at Axim in the Nzema East Municipality on Tuesday, as part of his five-day working visit to the Western Region. The visit aimed at interacting with the various traditional councils in the region to explain government polices, and listen to the concerns of chiefs so as to come out with holistic polices to enhance national development. He said the Chieftaincy Ministry was sourcing donor support to facilitate projects that would boost the activities of the chieftaincy institution in the country. The Chieftaincy Minister said Cabinet had approved a memorandum he submitted on the amendment of the Chieftaincy Act, Act 759 of 2008, that would empower chiefs to function effectively. He reiterated the need for closer collaboration between the various assemblies and the chieftaincy institution, to accelerate national development. He said the Chieftaincy Ministry would continue to bridge the gap between government and tradition, hence his determination to put in motion the promise he made last year when he visited the region. He said the chieftaincy institution played a vital role in national development, and therefore regional workshops would be organized for chiefs to delve deep into issues militating against the institution. The President of the Lower Axim Traditional Council, and Vice President of the National House of Chiefs, Awulae Attibrukusu the thrid, asked the Chieftaincy Ministry to post personnel to traditional councils in the region to facilitate their activities. He commended the sector minister for showing concern towards the improvement of the chieftaincy institution, saying tradition was in existence before government therefore every effort must be made to sustain it. At Apataim-Ajomoro Traditional Council, Awulae Kweku Ayirisuo the third, appealed to the sector Ministry to empower the chieftaincy institution to function effectively, noting that the respect for the institution was waning gradually. �These days when a chief summons someone who has done something wrong to his palace, the person refuses to report and when we report to the police, they asked us to go to court�, he bemoaned. He expressed grave concern over deplorable road network in the area and appealed for upgrading of the roads to facilitate socio-economic activities. The minister and his entourage are expected to visit 22 traditional councils in the region as part of the tour.