Northerners must give peace the chance… Says Apostolic Nuncio

THE NEW Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, His Excellency, the Most Rev. Leon Kelenga Badikebele, has added his voice to the need for the people of the three northern regions, to give peace a chance, for the development of the regions.

The Most Rev. Kelenga observed that though Ghana had gained international recognition, as a peaceful and democratic state over the years, this had not reflected in the three regions of the north, which have suffered setbacks, as a result of ethnic and communal conflicts.

The Nuncio, who said this when he paid a courtesy call on the Upper East Regional Minister, Alhassan Samari, as part of his one-week visit to the region, said it was time the whole country enjoyed the same peace, democracy, development and conflict-free environment.

The Most Rev. Kelenga noted that Africans in the sub-region have denied their children formal education, which he said, was responsible for the high illiteracy rate, and extreme poverty in the sub-region.

Child trafficking and abuse of the rights of children were also on ascendancy.

He said the best solution to the problems in Africa, was formal education and proper care of children.

Mr. Samari said the Catholic Church had done so much in the region, especially in the areas of health, education, water and sanitation.

The Regional Minister, therefore, urged the Church to continue with its support in these areas, to enable the region catch up with the rest of the country, in terms of development.

The Nuncio later called on the Paramount Chief of the Bolgatanga Traditional Area, Naba Martin Abilba, where he reiterated his call for peace and stability in the northern regions, and the need to send children to school.

Naba Abilba applauded the Nuncio for making Upper East his first port of call, after arriving in Ghana recently, to take up his new appointment.

This, he said, was an honour done him, and his people, and presented a piece of smoked cloth to the man of God. Whilst in the region, the Most Rev. Kelenga would visit paramount chiefs, district chief executives, some schools under the Catholic Church, religious leaders and Bawku, where he is expected to meet with the two feuding factions, to ask for peace.

He would later visit Bunkpurungu, Walewale, Nalerigu, and Gambaga, all in the Northern Region, before officially rounding up his visit on July 29.

He is being led by the Catholic Bishop of Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocese, the Most Rev. Lucas Abadamloora, and three other members of the diocese.