We are sorry – Savelugu youth to Nana-Addo

Government delegation to Savelugu in the Northern region has successfully cemented a ceasefire between livid party youth and the MCE Hajia Ayishetu Seidu after more than 60 days of agitations.

Their agitations adversely affected activities at the municipal assembly and raised security concerns.

The youth now said they had “soften stance” and agreed to work with Hajia Seidu as the MCE after a series of intense negotiations with the government mediators led by Bryan Acheampong, a minister of state at the presidency.

The Savelugu youth backed by constituency executives had aggressively rejected her appointment and blocked access to her office following accusations that she was not a resident and also did not contribute to the progress of the party in the constituency.

The youth held a series of street demonstrations where they burned party installations and climaxed it with locking up the assembly office after security forces forcibly inducted the MCE into office.

The youth clashed with the security forces who had fired copious rubber bullets and tear gas to break away the protesters. Three persons were injured when the youth retaliated by also throwing stones and shooting catapults.

Government therefore dispatched a three-man delegation made up of Bryan Acheampong, MP for the area, Mohammed Abdul somed Gunu and deputy Northern regional minister, Solomon Boar to neutralize the hostility.

After continued fluid deliberations with stakeholders including Chiefs and opinion leaders, the youth agreed to accept and support Hajia Seidu as the MCE.

Savelugu constituency secretary Abdul Sadiq Sulemana speaking to news men after the youth escorted the embattled MCE to her office, said: “We have had the opportunity to fully engage Hajia Aisha Seidu and are now convinced that she has what it takes to implement the president’s vision for full benefit of the people of Savelugu/Nanton”.

He added: “We therefore want to assure the President, Vice President and party leadership that we will not do anything to derail the efforts of government attempts to make Ghana a safe haven for investors. As stakeholders in the municipality, we want to state that we will harmoniously work with Hajia Aisha Seidu as MCE of Savelugu/Nanton to ensure that the vision of the President and the program of government is implemented for the benefit of Savelugu/Nanton”.

The youth rendered apology to the President for the protests and demonstrations and challenging his authority, saying though they believed their message was important, “we now concede our approach was wrong”.

Chief negotiator, Bryan Acheampong acknowledged the efforts of his colleagues and thanked the factions for supporting the process to a peaceful end.

The embattled MCE also briefly thanked the people for now accepting to work with her and promised an all-inclusive administration.