Accra, June 9, GNA - The Minister of the Interior, on the advice of the Upper East Regional Security Council and by Executive Instrument, has renewed and extended the curfew hours imposed on Bawku and its environs by another week.

The curfew hours, however, remain unchanged from 6.00 pm to 6.00 am each day.

Nana Obiri Boahene, Minister of State at the Ministry, who signed an official statement on Monday, said though calm had been restored to Bawku Municipality, Zabugu, Zoosi, Binduri and Pusiga townships, the curfew had to be re-imposed to enable the security agencies to monitor the situation to ensure that the security of affected areas was not compromised. He implored all factions to work towards peace since only the people themselves, and not the presence of the security personnel, could end the conflict.

"Government will like to make a passionate appeal to all the factions in the dispute to join the National Peace Council to find a permanent and lasting peace in the area." Nana Boahene said the ban on all persons in Bawku, Zabugu, Binduri, Pusiga and Zoosi townships from carrying arms, ammunitions or any offensive weapon still remained in force. "Any person found with any arms or ammunition will be arrested and prosecuted," the statement said.