Religious groups stage peace march in Bolgatanga.

Thousands of people in Bolgatanga on Saturday went on a peace march to pray and call for peace in the country and the world as a whole. The march, which was organised by the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocese in collaboration with the Muslim community and the Christian Council, was aimed at creating public awareness for all to co-exist and to pray for peace in Bawku, Dagbon and Bimbago, where there have been conflicts.

The two-hour march covered about two-and-half kilometres within the township and attracted people of different faith, the youth, civil servants, women's group, religious leaders, many of whom carried placards calling for peace and unity.

Speaking to the people at the end of the march, the Very Rev. Simon Asafo, vicar-general of the diocese, said ''we felt that as people of God, we cannot sit by and observe the government and the NGO’s battle alone the crises in Bawku and Dagbon, it is for this reason, to be in solidarity with the people of the conflict areas, that we your religious leaders have come out with the idea of this peace march and prayers for peace, hoping that God will again listen to our collective cry for peace."

He urged all to continue with the peace process in their homes and their relationship with others. Rev Emmanuel Dickson Dei, district pastor of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, appealed to all conflicting parties in the three areas to forgive one another and smoke the peace pipe.

"Forgiveness is a miracle of fresh start, a new beginning, a second chance, because of God's or Allah's compassion, love, grace and mercy", he added. Mr Mahami Salifu, Upper East Regional Minister, who took part in the march, urged all to show concern for others and eschew discrimination, cheating and violence.

He said since a majority of the people are poor, much of their time should be used in finding ways of making life better for themselves instead of destroying the little they have. Mr, Salifu said conflicts retard development and scare away investors.

Some of the placards they carried during the march, read, "there is no development without peace", "let us have a peaceful neighbourhood", love thy neighbour", and "give peace a chance". The march was preceded by a joint workshop among Christians and Muslims the previous Sunday and Friday respectively.