Dagbon calm but tensed

Parliament on Thursday unanimously approved the government's request for the extension of the state of emergency for the Dagbon Traditional area for another six weeks.

All 168 members present approved the resolution. The one-week State of Emergency the government imposed on Yendi, following clashes between the Andani and Abudu Gates that led to the death of Ya-Naa Yakubu Andani the Second and several of his followers, expired on April 3.

Before the approval, the Senior Minister, Mr J. H. Mensah said the Dagbon Traditional area remains calm but tense, hence the need to extend the State of Emergency.

Parliament was therefore, being requested to approve the declaration in pursuance's of article 31 (5) of the constitution for the state of emergency to continue for another six weeks, Mr Mensah said in a statement to Parliament to seek its approval for a re-declaration of the existence of a state of emergency in the said Dagbon Traditional area.

He said the President considered the facts and circumstances in the area giving rise to the said declaration on March 27 and which have not abated and still persist. A report indicated that there had been a heavy exchange of fire between the Andani and Abudu gates in Yendi, the Ya-Na's palace torched and heavy casualties resulting in 28 persons confirmed dead, he said.

Mr Mensah said there was a state of tension in Tamale with a very real fear that fighting and mob violence could erupt there with fears of further conflict across the Dagbon areas.

He said in the circumstance, the President consulted the Council of State and upon their advice proclaimed a State of Emergency in the Dagbon areas, which was duly Gazetted on March 27, 2002.

"Subsequent to this, the security services have continued their build- up in men and material to be able to patrol and present a believable deterrent to prevent any faction or person from attempting any violence".

The House unanimously approved the President's request and extended the state of emergency for another six weeks. The Majority leader, Papa Owusu-Ankoma expressed condolences to the people and appealed for tempers and passions to be calm so that the situation could be meaningfully dealt with.

He congratulated the Minority for their show of support, saying that the House would stand as one body in times of national crisis. Papa Owusu- Ankoma called on Ghanaians to pray for the leadership of the country to be imbued with the wisdom of Solomon to solve the crisis.

The Minority commended the government for actions taken so far to resolve the crisis but called for an independent judicial inquiry into the crisis. It expressed its condolences to the bereaved families and called on them to remain calm and allow the due process of the law take its course.