Alavanyo, Nkonya smoke peace pipe

Alavanyo/Nkonya, May 31, GNA-The Chiefs and people of Alavanyo and Nkonya on Wednesday invoked their ancestral oaths and spirits to mark the cessation of hostilities and never TO wield arms against each other, which was backed by an illustrative and traditional splendour. The celebration, which sometimes swayed emotions, was heavily attended by jubilant people of the two traditional areas, who have re-assured themselves to resort to dialogue and round-table discussion to resolve their boundary dispute.

The highlights of the occasion was the performance of the re-unification rites including the slaughtering of a goat and a sheep, under the tutelage of Togbe Agbi XI of Alavanyo and Okyeame Asiamoasu of Nkonya, both Chief linguists, the official re-opening of the three-kilometre road link between Alavanyo-Kpeme and Nkonya-Ahenkro, the firing of guns to symbolically denote cessation of hostilities and the unity dance.

Nana Okoto Kofi III, Omanhene of Nkonya re-echoed that any skirmishes between the two sides to revive hostilities would automatically cause his destoolment traditionally and urged the people to safeguard the treasure of peaceful co-existence to enable them to pick up the lost pieces.

He commended the Mediation and the Consultative Committees for their dedication to duty, which gave birth to reconciliation and pledged that it would be jealously protected.

Togbega Atakora Tsedze VII, Paramount Chief of Alavanyo asked the people to guard against their actions and pronouncements, which could inflame passions and likely to re-ignite the conflict.

He said the peace gestures should not be the pre-occupation of Chiefs and elders alone but should be the concern of all and sundry to protect and sustain for posterity.

Togbega Tsedze was optimistic that this gesture would erase the negative perception associated with the area, giving way to development.

The Right Reverend Dr Livingstone Buama, Moderator of E.P.Church, Ghana and Chairman of the Mediation Committee reminded the people that the roadmap to peace was slippery and urged them to thread cautiously with commitment and determination to remain unwavering. He prayed to God to turn their weapons of destruction to weapons of construction and development adding, "violence was powerful but dialogue was more powerful".

Rt. Rev Buama encouraged them to exemplify the courage of David, wisdom of King Solomon and the strength of Sampson to consummate the peace process, saying, "Unto the Lord, great things He has done, great things He would continue to do".

Rt. Rev Francis A. Lodonu, Bishop of the Ho Diocese, who presided was positive that the peace process was genuine and urged the people to further sacrifice towards its sustenance, adding, "Where God is, all are possible".

The people of Alavanyo and Nkonya who have lived peacefully with each other over 300 years, sacrificed the peace they were enjoying on the altar of conflict, resulting from land demarcation, 81 years ago, which had claimed many lives and property on both sides. Among those present were Mr. Prince Hayibor and Mr Kwasi Bandua, Members of Parliament for Hohoe North and Biakoye Constituencies respectively, who urged the people to play the game by the rules as they collectively decided to foster peace by themselves.

They asked the youth to take centre-stage in the reconciliation and peace processes to guarantee development in the area. Present also were Mr Solomon Kwame Donkor, Jasikan District Chief Executive and Mr Albert Agra, Presiding Member of the Hohoe District Assembly. 31 May 06.