Security urged to take swift action against troublemakers in the north

Accra, March 18, GNA - The Right Rev. Dr. Yaw Frimpong-Manso, Chairman of the Christian Council of Ghana (CCG), on Wednesday appealed to the security agencies to be swift and professional in apprehending trouble makers in the northern part of the country to avoid political coloration.

"Much as we commend government for the prompt action taken to address the situation, we wish to advise all the political parties to desist from any form of action that will aggravate the situation," he said. Rt. Rev. Dr Frimpong-Manso, speaking at the annual general meeting of the Council, therefore urged all warring factions to allow the National Peace Council to do its work to ensure lasting solution. "The peace and unity of the people for development is paramount on government's agenda," he said.

He noted that, conflicts in that part of the country were major factors hindering its underdevelopment, saying donors were sometimes unwilling to give their support to projects in that area due to the conflicts.

Rt. Rev. Dr. Frimpong-Manso said the Council would continue to be the voice for the voiceless in advocating peace and social justice where the highest premium would be placed on unity and respect for the dignity of God's creation. The Rev. Dr. Fred Deegbe, General Secretary, CCG, said the Council would continue to work effectively on its main focus of socio-economic development, gender and human rights. He called for a review of the CCG Constitution to enable it to meet the challenges of the time. Rev. Dr. Deegbe mentioned some successes chalked by the CCG as intensification of education on child trafficking; support for HIV/AIDS patients; training and voter education; election monitoring and networking with other civil society players towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.