Mr. Buhari Gibrilla, Assemblyman for Gbi-Bla in Hohoe, on Thursday passionately appealed to the Gbi Traditional Council to extend the deadline of June 15 to make it possible for Moslems who have fled the area to be consulted on the missing regalia.
He said the ultimatum was communicated to them only on Wednesday and leadership of the Zongo/Muslim community has dispatched emissaries to disseminate the piece of information to those who have already fled.
Mr. Gibrilla made the appeal when the standing Committee members of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs led by its President, Togbe Afede XIV, paid a visit to the area to broker peace among the feuding Gbi’s and the Muslim community.
He indicated scores of Zongo community members especially women and children have relocated to Jasikan, Kadjebi, Biakoye and Kpando districts and this message would have to be passed on to them.
Mr. Gibrilla said frantic efforts are being deployed to retrieve the royal regalia and was optimistic that a deal could be reached.
Togbe Afede pledged his resolve to cooperate with the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC) for amicable resolution of the conflict urging both sides to exercise maximum restraint.
He urged the Muslim community to forge a common front for peace building towards the reconstruction of Hohoe.
Togbe Afede said the forebears of the Zongo community would be disappointed by the development as it is at variance with what they stood for.
He appealed to those who have fled the area to return home.
Meanwhile, Mr. Henry Ford Kamel, Volta Regional Minister said a committee would soon be established with consultation with stakeholders to delve into the matter to forestall future recurrence.
He said government pledges its support towards peace building and normalcy in the area.**