Accra, April 14, GNA - The Minister for the Interior on the advice of the Upper East and Northern Regional Security Councils and by Executive Instrument on Tuesday renewed the curfews imposed on the Bawku Municipality and the Gushegu and their immediate environs for another week with effect from April 14, 2009.

A statement in Accra signed by Mr. Cletus Avoka, Minister for the Interior said the curfew hours for the Bawku Municipality and Gushegu Township remained unchanged, from 12.00 midnight to 4.00 am each day. The statement expressed government appreciation to the chiefs, elders, opinion leaders and people of Bawku for the peaceful celebration of the Samanpiid festival over the weekend.

The statement said government was very much encouraged by the singular show of unity among the people of Bawku and prayed that all efforts would be made to ensure the return of total peace to the area. It said it was the expectation of government that all peace loving people would join the effort to ensure peace in all parts of the country.

Meanwhile, government is maintaining that the 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 weapon. Any persons found with any arms or ammunition will be arrested and prosecuted.