Chereponi conflict: Konkombas, Anufors call for truce
The leadership of the Konkombas and their colleagues from the Chokosis in the Northern Region have called for peace in the wake of bloody clashes that have resulted in at least three deaths and several injuries.
In a joint news conference at the Northern Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) on Monday, 7 January 2019, the representatives of the Konkomba Youth Association and the Anufor Youth Association vehemently condemned the ethnic clashes between the two tribes.
They described the incident as unfortunate. They lamented the extent of the havoc caused by the conflict and expressed regret over the repercussions which could jeopardise the future of the children in the area.
The spokesperson for the two groups, Daniel Torbei, who addressed the media said it is for the common good of the people to end the conflict.
He appealed to both Anufors and Konkombas to shelve their differences since they are one people.
He commended the Regional Security Council and the Regional Minister for acting expeditiously to contain the situation.
“We want to call on our people, Anufors and Konkombas on both sides of the conflict, as a matter of urgency, to have confidence in the atmosphere of peace that the government is trying to promote and also to lay down their arms and calm down,” he stated.
For his part, a former Northern Regional Minister, Mr Moses Bukari Mabengba assured of his unflinching support to ensure a lasting resolution to the impasse.
He suggested that the Northern Regional Security Council (REGSEC) should facilitate a trip to the conflict areas with the support of the leadership of both groups. He believes when the people in the affected communities see their leaders together, it would cement the peace that they desire.
He challenged the Regional Security Council to punish any culprit who will foment trouble after the mediation process.
“I think that people must be punished and punished well. Because people are not punished, they think that they can just do anything and get away,” Mr Mabengba stated.
Additionally, a former Member of Parliament (MP) for Chereponi, Imoro Sanda, reechoed the need for peaceful coexistence and said the people should lay down their arms and allow calm to be restored.
The former legislator also appealed to the Konkomba inhabitants in the Chereponi district to open all the linking roads they have blocked. He said the Chokosis find it difficult to commute to other areas of the country.
Meanwhile, the Northern Regional Minister, Mr Salifu Saeed said the government would do everything possible to find a lasting solution to the conflict.
He revealed that government will put in measures to have inhabitants who fled to neighbouring Togo to return home.
Source: Ghana/ClassFMonline.com
