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Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur has appealed to fellow politicians to campaign on messages and ideas and not to threaten and intimidate the electorate.

He said elections are about development and the choices available to the people in the pursuit of progress.

Vice President Amissah-Arthur said this at the 40th anniversary of the Gonjaland Youth Association at Salaga in the Northern Region. He said government is committed to ensure that this year's election is transparent, free and fair. He therefore, solicited the co-operation and support of every Ghanaian to achieve this goal.

He bemoaned the issue of succession which has become sources of chieftaincy conflicts in the country. "In parts of our country succession to chieftaincy has become a source of conflict. But the Gonja people demonstrate some of the most peaceful and best practices when it comes to ascensions to chieftaincy.

Mr Kwesi Amissah Arthur said the Gonja people have set good examples that are worthy of emulation. Therefore as they mark this festive occasion his first call to the traditional rulers, and indeed all gathered for the occasion, is to protect this good reputation of peaceful transition to chieftaincy skins that they have built for the Gonja tradition so that we can serve as an example.

The Vice President said it was in that direction he was calling on them to begin to amicably resolve all the recent misunderstandings in respect of ascensions to various skins in Gonjaland, realizing that they have a rich history and standard to protect. And so the need to eliminate these misunderstandings we provide the atmosphere for sustained progress and development".

 The Vice President, therefore, appealed to the chiefs and people of Gonja to resolve all lingering succession issues

 Vice President Amissah-Arthur said government's transformation agenda is on course and it will continue to deliver the infrastructure that provides the basis for economic and social development. "You have chosen for this celebration the theme: “40 years of Promoting Peaceful Co-existence for Sustainable Development of Gonja land – the role of the Gonja land Youth Association”.

 He said the theme imposes on us the need to promote peace and unity as the surest way to guarantee development.  Let us live up to this theme and ensure that the Gonja land remains Peaceful and unified for the needed development to be achieved".

He used the occasion to commend the Gonjaland Youth Association for expanding and sustaining the association for 40 years.