Regional Minister advises chiefs on disputes

Ho, Jan. 9, GNA - The Volta Regional Minister, Mr Kwasi Owusu-Yeboa on Friday urged factions in the Zongo Chieftaincy tussle at Dambai to ensure that peace and order were not breached in the area.

This is because the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) would deal firmly with any acts of lawlessness in the area, without regard to the social and religious status of trouble makers.

Mr Owusu-Yeboa gave the warning at a joint meeting of Muslim and Zongo leaders from Ho and Dambai led by Alhaji Hamza Umar, Volta Regional Chief Immam over simmering tension in connection with the installation of a new Zongo Chief of Dambai.

The Regional Minister assured that the REGSEC would do its duty in protecting law-abiding citizens in the Dambai township. Mr Owusu-Yeboa said the REGSEC therefore, appreciated the initiative of the Muslim leadership in the region to intervene in resolving the impasse between the factions.

He said, that notwithstanding, the REGSEC has directed the Krachi District Security Committee (DISEC) to investigate the matter to determine whether there was any established procedures for electing the Zongo Chief, what the procedure or procedures were, which of the factions was complying with such procedures and the faction to which the late Zongo Chief belonged.

The DISEC has up to January 25, this year to submit its report to the REGSEC.

Mr Owusu-Yeboa reminded the people of Dambai of their duty to protect the towns status as the capital of the new district and constituency.

Briefing the meeting, Nana Kwaku Beyennor II, Chief of Dambai said following the death of Issah Ba-Arry, the then Zongo Chief about eight months ago, the Kotokoli and Zambrama groups put up three candidates for the vacant position.

He said another group comprising the Dagombas, Basares, Moshie, Chokosi, Grumma, Busanga and Fulani also put up one candidate. Nana Beyennor said one Alhassan Yakubu of the Kotokoli Zabrama group, who was the deputy to the late Ba-Arry for 35 years, got elected and installed as successor to the late Ba-Arry.

He said the other group comprising the Dagombas, Basares, Moshies, Chokosis, Grummas, Busangas and Fulanis also installed Alhassan Hasmiyu in opposition to Yakubu, which has developed into tension brewing in the township.