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President Kufuor reiterates need for peace in Dagbon

Tue, 23 Nov 2004 Source: GNA

Tamale, Nov. 23, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Monday said he was saddened by what happened in Dagbon Traditional Area about two years ago that led to death of Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II, the Paramount Chief.

President Kufuor said some people have deliberately made it their aim to make Tamale a battle ground for war and asked the people to close their ranks and not allow themselves to be manipulated by politicians for their selfish political ambitions.

President Kufuor was addressing a rally at the Tamale Police Park on his first day of a five-day tour of the Northern Region.

He said: "I want to assure you that the (New Patriotic Party) NPP Government has been concerned about the unhappy development in the Northern Region."

He said the Government was determined not to rest until the truth in the Dagbon crisis was known and that the truth would come out with justice.

President Kufuor said had it not been for the unfortunate development in the area it would not have been necessary for the NPP to campaign because all the Parliamentary seats would have been safely on the side of the NPP.

He said some individuals meddled and interfered with issues in some parts of the Northern Region and left in their trail blood and trouble for the people.

"No cost is too much until there is peace in Dagbon. There should be no short cut to get the truth. There are some who thrive on lies and falsehood. They should be exposed," adding that there was no way he and his Government could have benefited from this sad event.

"The entire unhappy situation has been kept on by some individuals, who want to twist facts to create tension. I challenge those who claim to have the facts to come forward," he declared, adding that the Government was prepared to prosecute the perpetrators.

President Kufuor told the teeming crowd that Ghanaians would renew the four-year mandate of the NPP on December 7.

He said this was based on Ghanaians quest for national unity devoid of discrimination based on ethnicity, religion or sex.

He said Ghanaians were also satisfied with the pace of socio-economic development, progress and prosperity that the Government had brought about since 2001.

President Kufuor said: "I want to assure you that in the nine other regions that I have toured in the country, most Ghanaians have decided to renew the mandate of the Government of the NPP. With the massive attendance at this rally, I am impressed that the Northern Region will join the rest of the country to give the NPP a resounding victory in December because the Government has provided the impetus for national unity and peace for socio-economic development and prosperity in the future."

President Kufuor also addressed durbars of the chiefs and people of Tolon, Savelugu and paid courtesy calls on the Kumbu-Na and the Gukpegu Gbon-Lana Ziblim at Tamale.

The second day of the tour will take him to Karaga, Gushiegu, Walewale, Nanton and Tampion.

Source: GNA