Sankpala, (NR), July 22, GNA - Mr Ernest Debrah, Northern Regional Minister, on Wednesday appealed to the Gonja Traditional Council to get involved in the process to find lasting peace in the Dagbon chieftaincy crisis.

Mr Debrah said in a speech read on his behalf, at the launch of the Northern Region Poverty Reduction Programme (NORPREP) at Sankpala in the West Gonja District that it was the collective responsibility of the people in the Region to contribute meaningfully to the current peace efforts in Dagbon in the spirit of brotherhood and togetherness.

The International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) is financing the programme with a 12.3 million-dollar loan to improve the living conditions of poor rural communities, with emphasis on women and other vulnerable groups.

Programme beneficiaries include 280,000 rural families that would benefit from community development, capacity building, sustainable agricultural development and husbandry practices.

Other benefits of NORPREP include an increased in food security, improve access to schools, safe drinking water and health facilities. The Regional Minister commended Yagbonwura Bawa Doshie, Paramount Chief of the Gonja Traditional Area, and the Gonja Traditional Council for their commitment to peace.

He said only peace and security could lead to development.