Tamale, Sept. 04, GNA - Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, Minister of the Interior, on Wednesday, gave the assurance that the government would thoroughly investigate the recent political clashes in the North. "The government will make the necessary arrests and prosecute those found culpable, irrespective of their political affiliations, to ensure peace and stability in the area," he said.

Dr Addo-Kufuor said the NPP government would respect the sovereign will of Ghanaians and accept the outcome of the December elections, stressing the need for clean electioneering campaign devoid of insults and violence to ensure a peaceful and united country after the elections.

The Interior Minister gave the assurances in Tamale when he met with the major stakeholders in peace-building, including political parties' representatives, religious leaders and members of the Northern Regional Security Council (REGSEC) to dialogue on measures to address the disturbances in Tamale and Gushiegu.

Dr Addo-Kufuor is leading a high-powered government delegation to the Northern Region to assess the destruction in Tamale and Gushiegu following political violence in the two areas.

The delegation included: Mr Stephen Asamoah Boateng, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, Minister of Defence, Ms Elizabeth Mills- Robertson, Deputy Inspector General of Police and Dr Sam Amoo, National Security Coordinator.

Dr Addo-Kufuor said all suspects who would be arrested in connection with the recent clashes at Gushiegu, where three lives were lost with several houses and vehicles burnt, would be prosecuted. He observed that there was a proliferation of weapons into the Northern Region, which had accounted for the instability in the area and appealed to residents to cooperate with the security personnel to retrieve all illegal weapons to help curb the "unnecessary clashes". Dr Addo-Kufuor said it was necessary for Ghanaians to place the nation above any political party and do the right thing to ensure a durable peace in the country.

He said Ghana had been blessed with a lot of resources including the recent oil find, and stressed the need for peace so that tourists, investors, and other development partners would continue to have faith in the country. Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, Northern Regional Minister, appealed to all the aggrieved parties to allow their emotions 'to take a back stage" and help seek lasting solutions to the problem. 4 Sept 08