Northern Regional Minister reiterates need for peace

Yendi (N/R), March 29, GNA - Mr Stephen Sumani Nayina, Northern Regional Minister has warned that he would not recognize parallel chieftaincy gates or institutions in any part of the region. He said there were laid down rules of addressing chieftaincy disputes and it was therefore in the interest of any aggrieved persons to follow those procedures rather than arrogating power to themselves. "Even if the authorities in a particular area are many, one must be superior," Mr. Nayina said when he paid a courtesy call on the Regent of Dagbon, Kampakuya Naa Abdulai Andani at his palace in Yendi on Saturday. The Regional Minister reiterated government's determination to set up a Presidential Commission to investigate the murder of the late Ya-na Yakubu Andani and 40 of his elders.

He appealed to the people of Dagbon to assist the proposed commission with credible evidence to establish the truth and make it possible for those found culpable in the murder of the Ya-Na to be prosecuted.

He said the government was determined to find a lasting solution to the Yendi chieftaincy problem.

Mr. Nayina said the unsolved murder case of Issah Mobila, the late CPP Chairman of the Northern Region and the political violence and arson that took place at Gushiegu during the electioneering would also be resolved.

He said the recurrence of violent incidents in the region was the result of the unfair treatment meted out to the people in the dispensation of justice.

The Regional Minister made it clear that he would not visit Bimbilla where two people were fighting over the skin. He has already paid courtesy calls on the Nayiri, Naa Bohagu Abdulai Mahami Sheriga Overlord of Mamprugu and the Yagbonwura Bawa Doshie, King of Gonjaland.

Mr Nayina said he would pay priority attention to agriculture, road infrastructure and education. He said there was need for a total agricultural revolution and the mechanization of the sector, adding that government would construct small scale irrigation dams to enable farmers cultivate food crops all round the year.

He said attention would be paid to the construction of the Fulfulso-Damongo-Swala roads, the Walewale- Nalerigu- Nakpanduri road and the Nakpanduri, Bimbilla, Gushiegu- Yendi roads. Kampakuya naa Abdulai Andani observed that the region was made of various ethnic groups and hoped that Mr Nayina would be able to unite the people and bring peace to the region.

He tasked the Minister to ensure that rule of law prevailed in the region as the surest way to maintaining peace and order. 29 March 09