Leaders initiate Northern peace conference

Chiefs, politicians and other organisations in collaboration with African Youth Peace Call (AYPC), a voluntary peace-making organisation would soon organise a peace conference to seek long lasting solutions to conflicts in the northern sector of the country.

Mr Alban Bagbin, Minority Leader in Parliament who disclosed this at a meeting with AYPC at Wa, said the bid was to sensitize stakeholders in the three regions on the need to maintain peace and unity among themselves.

He said pockets of conflicts in the area had impacted negatively on development.

"Whenever I put up a strong case for massive resources to be devoted for developing Northern Ghana; wherever I try to project the North and court investment I am given sad reminders that the burning embers of war will consume whatever resources that are poured into the area," he added.

Mr.Mumuni Sulemana, Regional Co-ordinator of AYPC called on the government to set up a presidential commission to resolve all conflicts in northern Ghana.

Mr Sulemana said since 1970 African countries had suffered more than 40 wars, adding that in 1996 alone 14 African countries were engaged in conflicts.

He urged youth groups to sign the African Youth Peace petition, which would be presented to the African Union next year.