NGOâ€ˆinitiates peace dialogue between Konkombas, Bimobas

The West Africa Network for Peace Building, Ghana (WANEP-Ghana) has initiated dialogue between the Konkombas and Bimobas with the view to finding a lasting solution to the Kpemale conflict in Nankpanduri in the Northern Region.

On the theme 'Promoting Peace Through Dialogue,' it is bringing together opinion leaders from both sides of the conflict, key stakeholders and peacemakers who can contribute meaningfully to the resolution of the conflict.

Since June 4, 2012, the Bimobas and the Konkombas have been fighting over a parcel of land at Kpemale, a suburb of Nankpanduri. A number of people have died as a result of the recurring conflict, with many homes destroyed.

At the opening of the dialogue in Tamale, an Executive Committee Member of WANEP-Ghana, who is also the Catholic Bishop for Yendi, Most Reverend Vincent Boi-Nai, commended the Northern Regional Co-ordinating Council, the District Chief Executive for East Mamprusi, the Catholic Church of Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocese, the Konkomba Youth Association and the Bimoba Youth Association for their untiring efforts towards the organisation of the dialogue.

He reminded the people that violence could not be a conduit to resolving conflicts, adding that 'we must all be reminded that peace is not a gift to be received but a task to be undertaken'.

The Executive Director of WANEP, Mr Emmanuel Bombande, expressed delight that the two protagonists had mutually agreed to help find a solution to the conflict.

'The fact that both Konkombas and Bimobas are sitting together here is a significant achievement and I will entreat you not to think about what you did to each other during the conflict in this meeting but to see yourselves as peace-loving people who are out to find a solution to an unfortunate situation,' he admonished.

The Northern Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP), Mr Ken Yeboah, expressed delight that a dialogue had been organised to find a solution to the conflict.

For his part, the Northern Regional Minister, Mr Bede Angwataazoma Ziedeng, commended both Konkombas and Bimobas for the strides made earlier on their own through dialogue.

He described the Kpemale area as one of the least developed areas in the region, and said the conflict had worsened the already bad situation in the area.

By Marcelinus Dery