Peace Council commends security agencies for responding rapidly to conflict situations

Most Rev. Prof Emmanuel Asante

The National Peace Council (NPC) has commended the security agencies and the command units of the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Armed Forces for their rapid response to the various sites of violence nationwide in the past weeks.

The Chairman of the NPC, the Most Rev Emmanuel Asante, who read a statement on behalf of the council at a brief ceremony in Accra on Thursday, said the protection of lives and property required co-ordinated efforts from the security agencies deployed to violence-prone areas and various stakeholders, including Members of Parliament and members of the regional co-ordinating councils.

The Most Rev Asante said the council had observed violent incidents in some parts of the country, including Tindongo and Namologo in the Upper East Region, Tishigu in the Northern Region, Ekumfi Narkwa in the Central Region and Hohoe in the Volta Region.

He commended the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osumanu Nuhu Sharubutu, and the respective regional ministers for their efforts in restoring calm in those troubled areas.

He expressed condolences, on behalf of the nation, to the families who lost their dear ones in all the instances of violence nationwide.

He urged all parties in the violence to exercise restraint while platforms were created for dialogue and negotiation on the issues that had resulted in the disturbances.

'A life lost in any form of violence is unacceptable because there are institutions that exist for resolving conflicts and settling differences,' he added.

He indicated that it would be very beneficial for feuding parties to sit down and dialogue over their concerns with openness and good intention, with the aim of protecting lives and property.

The Most Rev Asante mentioned chieftaincy, ethnicity and religious factors as some causes of violence in the identified areas, adding, “We have lived with and managed such social differences in times past and have forged ahead as a people.” 

GNA