Accra, Feb. 18, GNA- Government on Wednesday lifted the curfew in Tamale and Yendi in the Dagbon Traditional Area.

A release signed by Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, Minister of Interior said in view of the recent positive developments in the two areas, it had been decided to lift the curfew and advised the public to cooperate with the security agencies in ensuring the maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the areas.

Parliament on Wednesday, by a unanimous votes of 113, extended the State of Emergency in Tamale and Yendi.

The extension of the State of Emergency begins from Monday, February 23, 2004 and ends in March 23, 2004.

Mr. Hackman Owusu-Agyeman, Minister of the Interior assured the House that the curfew in the two areas would however be lifted in the two areas.

Mr. Owusu-Agyeman noted that the assessment of the situation in the two areas indicated that despite the peace that seems to be prevailing, there was the need to maintain the state of emergency until the late Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II, Paramount Chief of Dagbon was buried.

"However, the curfew could be lifted as a way of promoting more economic and social activities in the two areas," he said. "It is worth noting that despite the state of emergency, residence of Tamale and Yendi are given permission to functions such as funerals and marriages." The Minister said the completion of the temporary Palace of the Ya-Na was a prerequisite to the burial of the late chief adding that, 24 rooms have been constructed to the roofing level and the project was near completion.

He said the temporary palace was originally, to be completed by the middle of this month, but because of the Muslim Eid Ul Adha Festival, workers at the construction site, had to stop work for about a week and prepare for the celebration.

Mr. Owusu-Agyeman said the Committee of eminent Chiefs is seriously working on modalities for the burial of the late Ya-Na, after which the State of Emergency would be lifted.

He said the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and the Northern Regional Coordinating Council were working out the necessary details for the inauguration of the four district assemblies in the Dagbon Traditional Area between 20th and 25th of this month. The Minister assured the house that arrangements were being put in place to ensure that residents in the area participated in the forthcoming registration exercise next month, adding that the government would do everything possible to ensure that the people were not disenfranchised.

Mr. Kwadwo Adjei-Darko, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development explained that there was the need for a full complement of membership of the four district assemblies in the two areas before they could be inaugurated.

He said government appointees to the Kushiegu Karaga District Assembly have not yet been submitted to the Ministry, adding that when that was done, the four assemblies would be duly inaugurated. Alhaji Mohammed Abah, NDC-Chereponi said the work on the temporary palace was truly far advanced, adding that it was important that the curfew was lifted early enough to allow the people to deal effectively with the recent out-break of CSM in the area.

He said much as curfew was not synonymous with a State of Emergency, it was important that stakeholders in the area comported themselves well when the curfew was lifted in order not to necessitate a re-imposition of the curfew.

Mr. Norbert Awulley, (NDC-Builsa South) said it was not enough for the Minister to tell the House only about progress made on the traditional front, without saying anything about progress made in arresting the criminals involved in the murder of the late Ya-Na.

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Parliament on Wednesday, by a unanimous votes of 113, extended the State of Emergency in Tamale and Yendi. The extension of the State of Emergency begins from Monday, February 23, 2004 and ends in March 23, 2004.
Mr. Hackman Owusu-Agyeman, Minister of the Interior assured the House that the curfew in the two areas would be lifted during this session of the House.
Mr. Owusu-Agyeman noted that the assessment of the situation in the two areas indicated that despite the peace that seems to be prevailing, there was the need to maintain the state of emergency until the late Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II, Paramount Chief of Dagbon was buried.
"However, the curfew could be lifted as a way of promoting more economic and social activities in the two areas," he said. "It is worth noting that despite the state of emergency, residence of Tamale and Yendi are given permission to functions such as funerals and marriages."
The Minister said the completion of the temporary Palace of the Ya-Na was a prerequisite to the burial of the late chief adding that, 24 rooms have been constructed to the roofing level and the project was near completion.
He said the temporary palace was originally, to be completed by the middle of this month, but because of the Muslim Eid Ul Adha Festival, workers at the construction site, had to stop work for about a week and prepare for the celebration.
Mr. Owusu-Agyeman said the Committee of eminent Chiefs is seriously working on modalities for the burial of the late Ya-Na, after which the State of Emergency would be lifted.
He said the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and the Northern Regional Coordinating Council were working out the necessary details for the inauguration of the four district assemblies in the Dagbon Traditional Area between 20th and 25th of this month.
The Minister assured the house that arrangements were being put in place to ensure that residents in the area participated in the forthcoming registration exercise next month, adding that the government would do everything possible to ensure that the people were not disenfranchised.
Mr. Kwadwo Adjei-Darko, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development explained that there was the need for a full complement of membership of the four district assemblies in the two areas before they could be inaugurated.
He said government appointees to the Kushiegu Karaga District Assembly have not yet been submitted to the Ministry, adding that when that was done, the four assemblies would be duly inaugurated.
Alhaji Mohammed Abah, NDC-Chereponi said the work on the temporary palace was truly far advanced, adding that it was important that the curfew was lifted early enough to allow the people to deal effectively with the recent out-break of CSM in the area.
He said much as curfew was not synonymous with a State of Emergency, it was important that stakeholders in the area comported themselves well when the curfew was lifted in order not to necessitate a re-imposition of the curfew.
Mr. Norbert Awulley, (NDC-Builsa South) said it was not enough for the Minister to tell the House only about progress made on the traditional front, without saying anything about progress made in arresting the criminals involved in the murder of the late Ya-Na.