Acts of violence in Northern Ghana condemned

Gushegu, (N/R), Sept. 8, GNA- A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has condemned acts of violence in the Northern part of the country at the slightest provocation. Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, a former Minister of Defence in the erstwhile NDC administration, urged political parties and their supporters and opinion leaders to apply modern conflict resolution mechanisms and the rule of law in settling differences instead of resorting to violence.

The former Minister said these after leading an NDC delegation to assess the situation in Kpatingu in the Gushegu District in the Northern Region, following the recent clash between supporters of the NDC and New Patriotic Party (NPP) there. The delegation was made up of Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, a former running mate to Professor John Evans Atta Mills in the 2004 Election, Alhaji Hudu Yahaya, NDC Vice-Chairman and Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia, NDC General Secretary.

The rest were Alhaji Gilbert Iddi, former Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Ibrahim Adam, former Minister of Food and Agriculture, Hajia ladi Ayi, NDC National Propaganda Secretary and Mr. Haruna Iddrissu, Member of Parliament for Tamale South. Alhaji Iddrisu said it was unfortunate that a lot of arms were in the possession of civilians and urged the security agencies to arrest those with arms, particularly in conflict situations adding: "It is in your own credibility to see that people not authorized to use arms are disarmed".

He expressed worry that the Northern part, one of the least developed areas in the country, had become a theater of violence and said power was meant for development and not to kill people. Alhaji Iddrisu asked "When you look at our houses, they already look burnt, why burn them again". He said the delegation was saddened and filled with grief at death of human beings and the destruction of property at Gushegu. Alhaji Iddrisu cautioned NDC supporters not to retaliate any acts of provocation and said the party would take action on any such situation.

Mr. Patrick Adu Sarpong, Yendi Divisional Police Commander, who led the NDC team round the town to inspect the burnt houses, appealed to all political parties to cooperate with the police to restore peace in the area, adding that the police was investigating the incident. The team earlier paid a courtesy call on Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, the Regional Minister. He commended the delegation for showing concern to the development in the district said the complex nature of the region required that "We live above partisan approaches in trying to solve the problems in the region".

Alhaji Idris urged the delegation to assist in bringing peace to the entire region and gave the assurance that anybody caught involved in the violence would face the full rigours of the law. Violence erupted when NPP supporters were about to erect a canopy at Kpatinga and the NDC supporters were also hoisting a flag ant this escalated to Gushegu. 8 Sept 08