Parliament Extends State Of Emergency Over Dagbon Again

Parliament has by unanimous decision extended the State of Emergency over the Dagbon Tradition Area for another month taking effect from the 18th of March 2003.

In moving the resolution which required more than half of the members of Parliament, the Minister for Defense and Acting Minister for Interior Hon. Addo Kufuor said, the search for peace in the Dagbon Traditional Area over the past months has been encouraging.

Despite these gains however, he revealed that a recent meeting with the Northern Regional Security Committee (REGSEC) to assess the situation at Dagbon with specific reference to lifting the curfew, revealed a situation in the area as uneasy with simmering tensions between the two gates. Adding that efforts at reconciling the gates had proven futile.

Referring to the Akosombo Initiative sponsored and moderated by the UNDP resident coordinator Albert Salia Fawundu, he said the main concerns raised in realization of a lasting durable peace mainly bordered on the adherence to customs and traditions of the area.

The demands raised he said were the retrieval of all customary articles looted from the Gbewa Palace, the Gbewa Palace be reconstructed and customary rites including the burial of the late Ya Na and the installation of a regent be done.

Hon. Addo Kufuor expressed government?s concern over the spate of chieftaincy disputes in the country. He said the imposition of the curfew over the Dagbon area was fast crippling the economic activities of the area and consequently making the Northern Region a less attractive region for prospective investors.

Accordingly, he informed Parliament that government had consented to review the curfew to start from 12 midnight and end at 4:00 am taking effect from Thursday, March 13, 2003. The possibility of lifting the curfew entirely he said was remote, as this would involve heavy expenditure on communication equipment and other logistics, which had not been budgeted for in the 2003 budget.

During contributions to the statement it was suggested that government debunk the negative image that had been created of government having a hand in the murder of the Ya Na.

A member called for a deterrent force to be put in place permanently to gather intelligence reports and maintain peace in the area. Finally President Kufuor was urged to visit the area with a bi-partisan committee. The general feeling amongst contributors was that peace should be given a chance in Dagbon.

In conclusion the Minister for Defense called on all interested parties to bring to bear their immense influence on the Dagbon crises to find a lasting solution to the problem. He commended Parliamentarians for their concern and solidarity.