Gov’t cautions contestants of Bolgatanga Skin

Minister of The Interior, Mr Mark Woyongo, has cautioned the two contestants of the Bolgatanga Skin to use the laid down procedures to resolve the problem and not to resort to any violent means that would draw back the area's development.

The Interior Minister made the appeal when he briefed the Media in Bolgatanga on the security situation in the Municipality.

It would be recalled that Mr Joseph Apakre, a 36-year-old Manager of GHACEM in charge of Northern and Upper East Regions was en-skinned as Paramount Chief of the Bolgatnga Traditional Area by the Overlord of Mamprugu Traditional Area, Nayire Naa Bohugu Mahami, whiles Mr Raymond Alafia Abilba, a lawyer, was also installed as the Paramount Chief of the same area, to succeed his late father, Naba Martin Adongo Abillba the Third.

The Minister said the two sides could address their grievances by resorting to the Regional and National Houses of Chiefs and the law Courts, adding that they could even go to the Supreme Court if they wished.

“The Bolgatanga Municipality has over the years enjoyed relative peace and this is wooing more investors. We cannot afford to forgo this good opportunity.”, he indicated

The Interior Minister said the Security agencies were embarking on intelligence gathering in the area, but encouraged the residents to go about their normal business without fear.

Whilst commending the security agencies for discharging their duties professionally in the wake of the chieftaincy problem and the death of the Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, the Minister also lauded the willingness of the people to complement government’s efforts to maintain peace in the area.

Mr Woyongo who called on the security agencies to be vigilant, also entreated all Ghanaians to be mindful about the security situation.

He stressed the need to regulate the importation, distribution and sale of acid substances and suggested that dealers in acid should be licensed before they were allowed to commence the business.

On Terrorism, the Interior Minister said the country was prepared adequately to deal with any of such issues should it occur, and called on Ghanaians to go about their everyday lives without fear.