The Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Samuel Ahiave Dzamesi, has backed the suspension of the Chiefs of Nkonya and Alavanyo from the Volta Regional House of Chiefs following renewed clashes between the two ethnic groups.
Speaking on Friday, the Minister described the protracted conflict as “unfortunate,” adding that chiefs have a duty to ensure that their subjects or citizens live in harmony.
He told Citi FM:“The matter in Nkonya-Alavanyo is a very unfortunate one. It is something that has been going on for a very long time.
READ MORE:Two killed, others injured in renewed Nkonya-Alavanyo conflict
“I believe very strongly that the chiefs and queen mothers of Nkonya Alavanyo should continue to seek peace.
“I don’t understand why after all these years of trying to resolve this issue, it should come up again. So if the Regional House of Chiefs are taking a decision of that nature, I think I am in support of them.
“So that we understand that we understand that our chiefs are there to ensure that their subjects or citizens always live in peace. We cannot continue like that.”
The Volta Regional House of Chiefs suspended the Paramount Chiefs and Queen Mothers of Nkonya and Alavanyo indefinitely for their failure to maintain peace between the two traditional areas.
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Nana Soglo Alloh IV (with the microphone)
The suspension comes on the back of a shooting incident at Nkonya on Wednesday, April 21, 2017.
Two persons have so far been reported dead with one other injured following the incident that occurred in a bush between the Nkonya and Alavanyo communities in the Volta Region.
READ MORE: Curfew hours reviewed in Alavanyo, Bunkpurugu et al
The incident was said to have occurred at about 2 pm. Reports say some unknown assailants fired at five farmers from Nkonya-Ahinkro who were returning from their farm.
Nana Soglo Alloh IV, President of the House, told the Ghana News Agency that the Standing Committee of the House decided to sanction the chiefs following a meeting with the Regional Minister on Thursday.
He said the suspension is to ensure that the traditional leaders take responsibility for the actions of their subjects.
Meanwhile, police are yet to make any arrest but curfew hours on the two towns and their environs have been reviewed. The curfew starts from 11:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
