Accra, Feb. 23, GNA - The Interior Minister, Mr Cletus Avoka, on Monday renewed the curfews imposed on the Bawku Municipality, the Gushegu township and their immediate environs, with effect from Monday, February 23, 2009.

A Statement from the Interior Ministry signed by Mr Avoka said the decision was based on the advice of the Upper East and Northern Regional Security Councils respectively and by Executive Instrument. The Curfew hours, according to the statement, remain unchanged for the Bawku municipality and the Gushegu township from 12 mid-night to 4.AM each day.

The statement said government would like to appeal to all factions in the dispute to recognise the need to work towards peace and co-existence and also urged the people to eschew the mistrust and bitterness that had stalled peace in the areas.

It said "government assures all Ghanaians of every effort being made to ensure that peace prevailed in the affected areas and other trouble spots in the Northern Region, so that people could live normal lives and promote their socio-economic development.

The statement reiterated that the ban on all persons in the Bawku Municipal area, as well as the Zabugu, Binduri, Pusiga, Zoasi and Gushegu townships and their environs from carrying arms, ammunitions and other offensive weapons was still in force and any person found with any arms or ammunition would be arrested and prosecuted.