Press Release On The Numerous Conflicts In The Three Northern Regions Of Ghana
FROM: THE NORTHERN DEVELOPMENT FORUM (NDF)
To: ALL MEDIA HOUSES IN GHANA
DATE: FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2012
The Northern Development Forum (NDF) has observed with great concern and sadness the recent conflicts, violence and destruction of lives and properties that have engulfed a number of towns in the three Northern Regions of Ghana.
While extending our deep sympathy and condolences to all the families, communities, chiefs and opinion leaders and the victims of these conflicts we urgently call for all hostilities and violence to end forthwith. All well-meaning people from the three regions must find the moral courage and the spirit of tolerance to confront and overcome any form of violence. Too many people have died in these and past conflicts. The present level of ethnic conflicts that is consuming these communities has led to revenge killings and deepened internecine violence that is unacceptable in a country where the respect for the rule of law is supreme.
The escalation of violence has now persisted with unprecedented levels of killings and burning of property with impunity. We wish to remind all those causing these conflicts to reflect on the consequences of their actions. These conflicts are making it difficult if not impossible to build the minimum trust and confidence required to bring about integral development in the northern part of Ghana. Therefore, first and foremost, the killings and the burning of houses must stop and stop now! Nowhere has violence solved any problem.
We commend the Regional Coordinating Councils in the three regions and the Security Agencies for making all the necessary efforts to restore calm and order. We urge the Security Agencies to maintain their vigilance in the coordination of security and to sustain professionalism in the conduct of their duties. All those involved in these unacceptable acts should be dealt with according to the laws of Ghana without fear or favour.
The apparent return of calm must provide an opportunity for active engagement through dialogue with all the ethnic groups in the affected areas to build peace within the framework and context of the laws of Ghana and the respect for fundamental human rights.
We are making a passionate appeal particularly to all people from these three regions that Ghanaian traditions and values respect the sanctity of life. More importantly, the two great religions that form the majority of our community of faith and belief in God- Christianity and Islam- underscore the sacred value of human life.
We would like to remind the people of the three regions that we have no choice but to reconcile and build a high capacity of tolerance in order to co-exist peacefully. Such co-existence is the only way to bring about human development, peace and prosperity. The journey towards true and lasting peace and development must begin now. NDF is more than willing to offer its contribution in this regard.
We wish to reiterate our commitment to the promotion of peace, reconciliation and development in the three Northern regions. We are however, not oblivious of the fact that the obstacles in this journey will only be overcome with the support of all our brothers and sisters from the three regions. In the final analysis it is a decision and a choice between selfishness and charity with love, between justice and dishonesty and between good and evil.
May Peace return to the affected areas in the North and all other areas of the country where peace is lacking.
Signed:
Dr. Hakeem Wemah, Mrs. Susan Mahama
Chairman, NDF Vice Chairperson & Rep. Upper East Region
Dr. Hafiz Adam Mr. Sulley Adam
Rep. Northern Region Rep. Upper West Region
Ben Assorow
Secretary
