Bolgatanga, 30, GNA - The Bolgatanga, Nangodi, Bongo and Tongo Association - BONABOTO - branch at Bolgatanga has warned that it would de= al with people who parade as members of the association and intimidate and threaten government and state officials and other non-natives of the regi= on.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Association in charge of Bolgatanga, Mr. Stanley Abopaam. The statement said BONABOTO is a civil and non-political organizatio= n formed by people with good intentions who had come together to promote th= e development of the area. It said all heads of departments, organizations and all other officia= ls working in the region are partners and collaborators in the development o= f the Region. "BONABOTO is not in any way averse to people owning property within o= ur area as long as it is legal", it said.

The statement said BONABOTO recognized and appreciated people who contribute to the development of the area and it had honoured many people= in that direction and cited the Regional Director of Health Service Dr. Koku=

Awoonor Williams who was recently honoured for infrastructure improvement= in the health sector.

"We are therefore appalled at some natives, who are not even members= of the BONABOTO, parading around and threatening as well as intimidating people. We believe this is counter-productive and not in the interest of our people", it said.

The statement said BONABOTO dissociated itself from the allegation tha= t it does not want non-natives to occupy important government and state offices in the region and that people from the area also occupy positions= in other regions. It said BONABOTO would not hesitate to deal drastically with people who=

are involved in the practice of harassing and intimidating non natives in=

the region in the name of BONABOTO.