Regional News of Friday, 26 December 2003

Source: GNA

Feuding clans in East Mamprusi smoke peace pipe

Nabulik (N/R}, Dec 26, GNA - The Louk and Nakuuk Clans in the East Mamprusi District, who for several years quarrelled over a parcel of land earmarked for development have now smoked the peace pipe. This followed the intervention of Mr Charles Bintin, Deputy Northern Regional Minster, when he met the two parties at Nabulik on Wednesday to reconcile them.

The two clans performed the pacification rites known as "blood burial" under the supervision of the Nakpanduri Naba, Kansuk Moigberin. Both clans provided a goat, dog and some fowls to be sacrificed and an elder from each side drunk pito from the same calabash to signify their reconciliation.

Naba Kansuk said for several years, his people had not seen peace and this had retarded the development of the area and expressed the hope that this time round, peace would prevail.

He said in conflict situations it was the vulnerable groups such as women and children that suffered most and appealed to the people to allow peace to reign supreme in the area.

Mr David Konlan, District Chief Executive, said development could only come about in an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity.

He said now that the people had agreed to reconcile, steps would be taken to bring back those displaced as a result of the conflict and also ensure that their children returned to school.

Mr Konlan said that boreholes would also be drilled in most of the communities while the road from Binbagu to Nabulik would be reshaped. Mr Deputy Northern Regional Minister praised the two clans for reconciling without any interference from external forces. He urged other ethnic groups in region to learn from the example of the two clans of Nabulik.

Members of the Northern Regional Security Council and security personnel witnessed the pacification rites.