Members of the National Peace Council (NPC) in Ghana, among them Catholic Bishops, have condemned the rise of violence in at least three regions of the country: Kintampo, in the Bono East Region, Nkwanta in the Oti Region, and Wenchiki in the North-East Region.
Eight people lost their lives in Nkwanta after gunmen opened fire at the Nkwanta Central Market on November 21. In Wenchiki, three people died following a renewed chieftaincy dispute. Meanwhile, tensions are high in Kintampo after the Mo tribe expressed their intention to perform rituals in November and December, coinciding with the Wangara’s annual Klubi Festival.
In a statement that was shared with ACI Africa on Sunday, November 26, the NPC members including members of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) said that they had been following the clashes “with deep sorrow”.
“The Council is worried about these unfortunate incidents and appeals to the Inspector General of Police and the security agencies to strengthen investigations already underway with the required resources to assure the affected families and the Ghanaian public of speedy justice,” the Religious leaders said.
The religious leaders, including members of the Christian Council of Ghana and the Office of the National Chief Imam, said that they were concerned that Ghanaians, especially the youth, had lost their lives “in these violent incidents which could have been avoided if the parties had exercised some restraint.”
They condoled with those who have lost their loved ones in the clashes and encourage all Ghanaians “not to yield to any provocation and restrain themselves from taking the law into their own hands.”
“The Council appeals for calm in these difficult times to enable the investigations to take their full course without hindrance while allowing the Regional Peace Councils and the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) to continue to facilitate the resolution of these conflicts,” they said.
Source : Acia Africa
