According to them, the Chiefs cannot be held responsible for the recurring conflict.

[contextly_sidebar id=”ZOBZZ9KgI7Kt9tBSUEwY3NM8Bg5L0m0T”]The Volta Regional House of Chiefs announced on Thursday that it had suspended indefinitely, the Paramount Chiefs and Queen Mothers of Nkonya and Alavanyo for their inability to maintain peace between the two traditional areas, following a shooting incident that left two people dead on Wednesday.

The President of the House of Chiefs, Nana Soglo Alloh, who confirmed the suspension to Citi News, explained that, the House of Chiefs took the decision because they were not happy with developments in those areas.

“We are saying that, as far as we are concerned, even though we are not blaming them for their direct involvement, we think they have a responsibility of bringing peace in their traditional areas,” he said.

But the Queenmother of Alavanyo, Mamaga Amertor II, told Citi News in a separate interview that, the shooting incident was unrelated to the conflict between the two towns.

“I don’t know how they are doing that because this is not a conflict. This is a criminal act and a criminal act is committed by individuals and not the chiefs. The chiefs are not in the town. When the chiefs are usually in the palace and somebody commits a criminal act, why should the chief by punished? This is not a fight between Nkonya and Alavanyo.”

“Some individuals are doing this, so why should the chief be punished for that. This is a community issue. Over 2,000 people under your umbrella and one person is doing something criminal, would you identify that this is the person? This is different from a conflict. We’ve left the conflict behind us so why should there be attacks?” she quizzed.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Nkonya-Ahundwo, Nanai Ampen-Darkoh III, has charged the Police to arrest the culprits responsible for the recent shooting, instead of blaming the traditional authorities.

“If for any reason, part of what happened last Wednesday, the people are taking that decision, it sounds funny to me. I think it is the police that rather must be entreated to do their investigations because for me I see it as something criminal… It is not an area anywhere near the disputed land, this happened far away from the disputed land,” he noted.

Nkonya killings will be treated as a criminal matter – Minister

Meanwhile, the Volta Regional Security Council has said it will handle the recent killing of the two persons at Nkonya Zongo on Wednesday evening as a criminal matter.

During a media briefing on Thursday, the Volta Regional Minister and Chairman of the Council, Dr. Archibald Letsa, sought to in the meantime, isolate the killings from the long-standing land dispute between the Alavanyo and Nkonya communities.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Suspending Nkonya, Alavanyo chiefs unfair – Queen mother appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

He served this caution when he paid a working visit to the chiefs and people of Alavanyo and Nkonya traditional areas, to assess challenges related to their over-90-year-old conflict.

“The Akufo-Addo led government has many programs and projects for the country, and it is my wish that you benefit from these projects and programs. We are already talking to many investors to support our numerous projects to create jobs for the teaming youth, but the challenge we face currently is how to convince any investor to come here when there is so much negative press from here.”

“My aim of visiting you today is to see how we can together end the killing and repackage this area for investment. His Excellency president Akufo-Addo wants me to tell you that he is committed to developing this area, but that can only be possible when you stop the killing and portray a positive image of the area,” he said.

The Volta regional Security Council, the Peace Council, the Peace Ambassador, Micheal Dzato from Nkonya, aided by Ellis Prince Anchroe of Alavanyo – who is fervently supporting the peace process – paid separate visits to the chiefs and people of Alavanyo and Nkonya respectively.

Mr. Letsa reiterated government’s resolve to ensure lasting peace in the area to pave way for accelerated development, but lamented that the two feuding factions are not giving peace a chance, a situation that has virtually turned the two traditional areas into ghost areas starving them of the needed investment to stimulate growth.

He has assured them that as soon as sanity returns to the area he will do whatever it takes to move investments into the area.

Both paramount Chiefs were tasked to help fish out the trouble makers who are dragging their names in the mud.

Speaking on behalf of their subjects both Paramount Chiefs thanked the regional minister and his team for making their situation a priority, and for taking time off their busy schedules to visit and dialogue with them. They promised to do all they can to stop the senseless killing.

They have also pledged their resolve to do whatever it takes to expose those fomenting trouble in the area.

Speaking to Citi News after the visit, Ellis Prince Antsoe, founder and chief executive officer of Antlis Oil and Gas, a native of Alavanyo, who has been very instrumental in the peace building process, could not hide his joy of visiting Nkonya for the first time in decades.

“I freely eat and drank water in Nkonya, this is truly memorable” he said.

According to him, he had a touching experience when the paramount chief of Nkonya embraced him and prayed for him in his palace at Nkonya Ahenkro.

“I have not been to Nkonya in decades for fear of death, but this visit has been very rewarding, an eye opener, yes the Nkonya people have shown great warmness towards me and I can genuinely see that they want the conflict to end as much as we in Alavanyo do. I am convinced now more than ever that we need peace more than anything between our two traditional areas,” he said.

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By: Gratham-Jaisey Mckintosh/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Give peace a chance – Minister tells Alavanyo, Nkonya appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.