Security agencies in Yendi undertake peace march

Yendi, May 11, GNA - Alhaji Mohammed Asibi Azonko, Yendi Municipal Coordinating Director has re-iterated government's call on residents within Yendi Municipality to give peace a chance, resolve to bury their differences, eschew divisiveness, parochialism and live in peace and unity.

He stressed the need for the indigenes to demonstrate commitment to peace, embrace peaceful co-existence, accommodate and tolerate each other to ensure lasting peace in the area. Alhaji Azonko made the call when addressing personnel of security agencies after a three-hour peace march through some principal streets in Yendi Township at the weekend.

They included Ghana Police Service, Ghana Prison Service, Custom, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS), Ghana Fire Service, Immigration Service and Voluntary Organizations.

Supported by personnel from the military detachment on normal patrols, they carried placards, some of which read: "Security Agencies Are One So Be One", "Our Children Need Peace", "Let Us Give Peace A Chance", "War and Development Are Enemies", "We Need Lasting Peace and Enduring Peace in Dagbon" and "Women Are The First Victims of Violent Conflicts".

Alhaji Azonko reminded them that, since 2002 and in the wake of the Yendi conflict, a lot of energy, resources, time and efforts had gone into peace enforcement, confidence and peace building. He noted that Government, the municipal assembly, security agencies, traditional authorities, religious groups, benevolent groups and peace-loving individuals had collaborated in one way or the other to bring about peace in the area. However, Alhaji Azonko said the peace process was rather very slow due to slow processes of negotiations, mistrusts among the people, and culture of impunity.

He announced that the personnel would organise route marches on Tuesdays and Fridays to draw attention of the public to the need for lasting peace in the area. Alhaji Azonko commended personnel from the security agencies and voluntary organisations for contributing effectively to sustain the prevailing peace in the area. 11 May 09