Be neutral and non-partisan, assembly members urged

The Bishop of Yendi, Vincent Sowah Boi-Nai has called on assembly members to be neutral and non-partisan so that they can gain the trust and respect in their various electoral areas.

He said it is important for the assemblymen and women to be involved in the peace process in the country by attending events like those of the Yendi Peace Center which often organises workshops and meetings to bring about peace.

Bishop Boi-Nai said this when he delivered the keynote address at a forum of management of assembly at the Yendi Peace Center in the Northern Region.

He said it was important that the assembly members informed the appropriate authorities when there are emerging issues in their electoral areas which could disturb the peace process.

Bishop Boi-Nai said there was also the need to promote strong relationships amongst the assembly members and the security agencies in Yendi.

He said the peace process in the communities cannot proceed if people are not willing to speak the truth and stand by what they say because failure to speak the truth leads to mistrust and suspicion.

The Yendi Police Divisional Commander, Superintendant Joseph Allotey, said he is in the area to maintain law and order and that the security can only carry out their constitutional responsibility if the public will give the security the necessary cooperation.

He said that there must always be trust between the police and the public such that reliable information could be exchanged and acted upon.

The Yendi Municipal Deputy Coordinating Director, Mr. Jimah Yakubu commended Bishop Boi-Nai, who is the Chairman of the Yendi Peace Center, for helping to ensure peace in the area.

Mr. Jimah said as the main aim of assembly members is to accelerate peace and stability in their various electoral areas, it was necessary for them to avoid chieftaincy and political conflicts and forge ahead with their development efforts.

He said conflict flashpoints keep increasing all over the country and that it is time the assembly members work hard with their chiefs and opinion leaders to help seek solutions to such concerns.

The Secretary of the Yendi Peace Centre, Peter Atia, said the forum was the 90th of such meetings and workshops the centre has organized since 1999 after the Northern Regional conflict.

He called on the Assembly members to join hands with the centre to help find peace for the area.**