Venue for inquiry into Yendi crisis will not change -Govt

The Government on Wednesday stuck to Sunyani as the venue for the three-member commission probing the Yendi tragedy and said the decision would only change if there were compelling reasons to do so.

Mr Kofi Amponsah-Bediako, Assistant Government Spokesman, told the Ghana News Agency in Accra that Sunyani was chosen because of its proximity to the north and general suitability for the security of members of the Commission and people who might want to testify.

Mr Amponsah-Bediako was reacting to a petition by the Dagbon Traditional Council and the Andani family to the President to change the venue to Tamale, Damongo, Nalerigu or Kumasi, citing security reasons.

"The Northern Military Command and the Police Service are on high alert to provide security to all stakeholders in the inquiry and no one should entertain any fear.

"Damongo and Nalerigu are within the Northern Region and the emotions of the parties to the conflict can come into play in these areas. Kumasi is also very far away from the conflict area.

Sunyani was, therefore, chosen after serious consideration," he said. Mr Amponsah-Bediako said government was not down playing the immense threat of the Yendi crisis to national security, hence the huge expenditure to ensure peace and order. "These monies could have been used to improve the socio-economic development of the north. I, therefore, appeal to people with vital information about the crisis to provide it to the Commission so that the truth would be unveiled to help avoid recurrence.