General News of Sunday, 9 March 2003

Source: gna

Defense Minister urge Dagombas to Preserve Dagbon State

Defence Minister Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, has urged Dagombas, especially the Abudu and Andani Gates to note that irrespective of what has happened in the past and as well as the current crisis, there was the need for them to preserve the Dagbon State for posterity.

The Minister said the Dagbon crisis was taking a toll not only on the national economy of which about 7 billion cedis has so far been spent on maintaining the security in the area but it has led to the disruption of political, social, economic and religious activities.

He said teachers, doctors and contractors have deserted the area and recently the government has to provide security to some Cuban doctors to convince them to go back to work.

Dr Addo-Kufuor who is also the acting Interior Minister said this during the annual week celebration of the Students Representative Council (SRC) of the University of Development Studies (UDS) in Nyankpala, Tamale.

The Minister appealed to the representatives of the two Gates to be tolerant to each other to enable the judicial process the government has initiated to bring the guilty ones to justice.

He said at the same time they should allow consultation with other stakeholders who have the welfare of the Dagbon State at heart to continue to help in finding lasting solution to the crisis.