General News of Sunday, 31 March 2002

Source: GNA

Change Leadership Of Security Network – Minority

THE Minority in Parliament on Friday urged President John Agyekum Kufuor to "muster courage" to review the leadership of the security apparatus to restore public confidence.

It also called for the convening of an emergency session of Parliament in line with Article 31 of the 1992 Constitution to deliberate on the Yendi situation. In a statement signed by Mr Alban Bagbin, Minority Leader, the group expressed concern at the "seeming ineptitude in the handling of security matters in recent times, resulting in serious bungling in sensitive security situations.”

The Minority expressed shock that "what began as a minor skirmish in the run up to the annual Fire Festival has been allowed to degenerate into a massacre of such tragic proportions," adding that no effective action was taken by the authorities to ensure the safety and security of the late Ya Na Yakubu Andani and his palace.

While expressing its sincere condolences to the family of the late Ya Na, the Minority urged them to continue to exercise restraint in the current crisis.

It also appealed to the people of Dagbon "not to take any action that would further jeopardise the unity, stability and peace that had prevailed in the traditional area over the last few decades." —