Accra, March 3, GNA - The Interior Minister, Mr Cletus Avoka has renewed the curfew imposed on the Bawku Municipality, the Gushegu township and their immediate environs, with effect from Monday, March 2, 2009, an official statement said on Tuesday.

A Statement from the Interior Ministry signed by Mr Avoka said the decision was based on the advice of the Upper East and Northern Regional Security Councils, respectively, and by Executive Instrument. The curfew hours remain unchanged for the Bawku Municipality and the Gushegu township from 12 midnight to 0400 hours each day. The statement appealed to the people in those areas to exercise maximum restraint and help bring lasting peace to their communities and the country as a whole.

It said government expected that the prevailing peace would be maintained to ensure rapid socio-economic development of the communities concerned and the regions in general.

The statement reiterated that the ban on all persons in the Bawku Municipal area, as well as the Zabugu, Binduri, Pusiga, Zoasi and Gushegu townships and their environs from carrying arms, ammunitions and other offensive weapons was still in force and any person found with any arms or ammunition would be prosecuted.