Gonja, Tampulima chiefs promise ceasefire after renewed chieftaincy clashes

Salifu Saeed, Northern Regional Minister

Traditional rulers from Gonja and Tampulima communities in the North Gonja District, have promised to ceasefire in the age-long recurring chieftaincy conflict in the Wasipe traditional area.

They were summoned by the Northern Regional Security Council [REGSEC], following renewed clasheswhich resulted in the death of two persons.

At a meeting with the REGSEC on Thursday January 18, 2018, the traditional leaders condemned the incident and pledged their commitment to broker peace.

Chairman of the REGSEC, Salifu Saeed, said the two factions were asked to create a joint peace committee and submit a road-map to the Council within two weeks.

He reaffirmed the Council’s resolve to arrest and prosecute traditional rulers who are unwilling to peacefully coexist, and are instigating the tensions.

“As REGSEC, we made it very clear that we will not sit down for any group be it chieftaincy or political group to frustrate the forward much of government’s policies’ implementation.”

“Unity in diversity should prevail, and I want to send a clear warning to the generality of the people in Northern Region that REGSEC will not countenance any lawlessness in the region because we are in a democratic dispensation.”

“Nobody is above the law, and so therefore nobody should think of trying to hide behind chieftaincy, religious or political groups to cause civil unrest. Such people will be arrested and prosecuted,” he warned.