People of Osu reconcile

...after 50 years of dispute
Accra, August 11, GNA - Professor Fred Togbor Sai, an advisor to government on Saturday urged the people of Osu to observe peace among them to ensure the development of the town.

This he said would foster cordiality; honesty and transparency, which existed, and also laid solid foundation for the future of the town and that of the country.

Speaking at a reconciliation ceremony to commemorate the cancellation of a long-standing oath made by the people of Alata Asafoi against the people of Kinkawe over a dispute, Prof. Sai noted that disputes hindered the economic development and sustainability of any town or country that engaged in them.

He said in 1956 inadequate communication by the Asafo of Kinkawe to the Asafo of Alata about movements Kinkawe Asafo intended making in the Alata area of jurisdiction brought a challenge by Alata Asafo and a reaction from Kinkawe resulting in shots being fired.

Prof Sai stated that there were casualties on both sides and a number of key Osu Alata citizens were imprisoned thus leading to the impoverishment of families and denial of formal education. This, he said, brought bitterness in the hearts of the people and eventually led to a family dispute, which had lasted over fifty years. "Let us not only bury the hatchet but come together to develop and strengthen the bonds of Osu because we lack so many things due to these disputes".

He called on parents to invest in their wards education, for, without it the future of the country and that of the town would be bleak.

Nii Nortey Owuo III, Osu Mantse urged all to come together and work with indigenes, corporate bodies, civil society groups as well as government to reduce the high incidence of poverty in the system. "Let us ensure that all our children go to school and remain in school until they are equipped with the requisite skills to build their own lives", he said.

He expressed gratitude to the two Asafo groups for their support in ensuring peace in the community, saying it would be an example for others to follow.