Wa, Dec. 20, GNA - The four royal gates of the Wa skin on Thursday gave hope that peace was returning to the Wa Municipality when they sat together at the forecourt of the Regional Coordinating Council to pay a courtesy on the Upper West Regional Minister, Mr. George Hikah Benson, after the Eid-Ul-Adha prayers.

Members of the four royal gates were seen holding discussions and people said that was the first time members of the four royal gates were seen praying together.

Others described the scene as a surprise and gave thanks to Allah for the show of unity.

Last year there was confusion after Ramadan prayers, which attracted warning shots from the security agencies. Since the death of Naa Alhaji Yakubu Seidu Soalia II on August 3, 2006 there had been confusion among the royals in selecting his successor.

Mr. Benson expressed gratitude to the royals and Muslim leaders as well as other opinion leaders in the municipality for working hard to bring peace.

He said the unity they had exhibited should not be a nine-day wonder but something they should uphold and cherish. Mr. Benson gave the assurance that government would provide financial support to accelerate development in the north to bridge the development gap between the south and the north. He said development could only take place in an environment of peace, tranquillity, social justice and good neighbourliness, which all must work for.

Alhaji Mahama Froko, on behalf of the Muslims Community in Wa, expressed his gratitude to President John Agyekum Kufuor for helping to get the stranded Ghanaian pilgrims to Mecca. He led the Muslims in prayers for peace for the country. Mr. Benson on behalf of the government and the Regional Coordinating Council presented a ram, 41 crates of soft drinks to the royals and the Muslim Imams. 20 Dec 07