Tamale, April 2, GNA - Alhaji Abdulai Ziblim, Regent of Gukpegu in Tamale, has called on President John Atta Mills to expedite action on the appointment of District Chief Executives (DCEs) to run the affairs of the assemblies.

He said the seeming delay in appointing the DCEs was adversely impacting on the administration of the districts. Alhaji Ziblim said this when Mr. Stephen Sumani Nayina, Northern Regional Minister paid a courtesy call on him to formally introduce himself and his Deputy Mr. Moses Bukari Mabenga to him on Wednesday. The Gukpegu Regent urged the Minister to be steadfast in his work and always stand by the truth in the discharge of his duties. Mr. Nayina said the region was beset with land, ethnic and chieftaincy problems and called for the cooperation of the chiefs in finding solutions to them.

He expressed worry about what he termed the unwillingness of the people in the Tamale metropolis to handover unauthorized weapons in their hands voluntarily as directed by the Regional Security Council, saying this could frustrate peace efforts.

He warned that after the expiry of the stipulated grace period, the security services would have no option but to conduct a massive search and people found to be in illegal possession would face the law. He also warned the youth in the metropolis not to take the law into their hands to commit violent acts, saying the law will deal with them, even if they are supporters of members of the ruling party. "If such acts happened in previous regimes, the government of the National Democratic Congress will not condone it," he added. The Regional Minister paid similar courtesy calls on the Dakpema Mohammed Abdulai Dawuni Chief of Tamale, the Chief Imam of the Tamale Central Mosque, Alhaji Abdul Salam and the Catholic Archbishop of Tamale, the Most Reverend Gregory Kpiebaya and Archbishop Emmanuel Arongo, Anglican Bishop of Tamale. 2 April 09