Use crucifixion of Christ to reconcile - JAK, JJ urged

Hohoe, March 26, GNA - Togbega Gabusu VI, Paramount Chief of the Gbi Traditional Area on Good Friday, appealed to President John Agyekum Kufuor and ex-President Jerry John Rawlings to perceive the crucifixion of Christ as having neutralised the acrimony that has characterised their relations between them.

The two who he described as "Political stalwarts" should reflect on the Easter lessons of reconciliation and re-union to forge peaceful co-existence or posterity would not forgive them for their actions or inactions, which would reduce the highest office of the land to ridicule.

Togbega Gabusu who was speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview recounted how two former presidents of the United States, Mr George Bush Senior and Mr Bill Clinton were working together soliciting support for the Tsunami victims.

He described the gesture of Mr Clinton, ceding the only bed on a flight that both of the were on, to Mr Bush Senior, as invigorating and demonstrating maturity, asking, if "the same can be said for Ghana". Togbega Gabusu said the "effusions", which emanate from the camps of President Kufuor and ex President Rawlings were sometimes unpleasant and an affront to the highest office of state in the country. He cautioned supporters of President Kufuor and Flight Lieutenant Rawlings that there could be no victors or vanquished in the accusations, counter accusations and name calling and urged the two important personalities to demonstrate circumspection in their statements.

Togbega Gabusu who is also the President of the Volta Region House of Chiefs said the world was watching events in the country with keen interest and appealed to them to bury the hatchet, no matter the remote or immediate causes of their differences.

He said "in the face of under development, it would be counter productive to occupy ourselves with such petty issues".

Togbega Gabusu said while President Kufuor occupied the highest office of the land and Flight Lieutenant Rawlings had been in the seat for about 20 years they must be seen as uniting the country, rather than sowing seeds of discord among the people.

He expressed the hope that this year would see reconciliation among chiefs and urged traditional authorities to promote peace in their areas to promote development.

Conflicts were counter-productive as push scarce resources for development into peacekeeping efforts, he stated.

Togbega Gabusu commended the government's efforts in stemming the armed robbery menace and asked all to support the efforts in eliminating such criminal activities.

He appealed to government to embark on interventions to create jobs for the teaming unemployed and for the youth to acquire skills to earn a living.