Accra, July 20, Accra GNA - Mr. Cletus Avoka, Minister for the Interior, has announced the renewal of curfew imposed on Bawku Municipality and Gushegu township and the immediate environs, for another week with effect from Monday 20th July, 2009. The Minister said that the decision that was by Executive Instrument, followed the advice of the Upper East and Northern Regional Security Councils.

A statement signed by Mr. Avoka an released to GNA in Accra, said " the curfew hours for the Bawku Municipality and their environs has been reviewed and is now from 1200 mid-night to 4.00 am and the curfew for the Gushegu township, remains unchanged and is from 1200 mid-night to 4.00 am each day."

It said the reduction in the curfew hours was in recognition of the gradual return of normalcy in the Bawku Municipality and its immediate environs.

The statement said government would continue to express its appreciation to the chiefs, elders, opinion leaders and all peace-loving people for sustaining peace in the area.

"Government wishes to implore the people in the affected communities to refrain from utterances and actions that Will inflame passion and degenerate into chaos and anarchy."

The statement said that the authorises also wished to assure the people that security in the affected areas would continue to be top priority and that nothing untoward would be done to compromise this responsibility.

It said the authorities would always ensure that all peace loving people go about their activities without hindrance. "Meanwhile government will like to reiterate that there is a ban on all persons in the Bawku Municipal Area, Zabugu, Binduri Pusiga, Zoasi and Gushegu townships and their environs from carrying arms, ammunitions or any offensive weapons, and any person found with any arms or ammunition will be arrested and prosecuted", the statement said.