Ho, Aug. 7, GNA - Mr William K. Kpende, Secretary of the Alavanyo Traditional Council on Friday denied that the Volta Regional Minister, Mr Kwasi Owusu-Yeboa was siding with the people of Alavanyo in their conflict with the people of Nkonya.

Speaking at Press Conference called by the Council at Ho on Friday to clarify latest developments in the conflict, Mr Kpende said Mr Owusu-Yeboa had never been Counsel for Alavanyo in their dispute with Nkonya, neither was his wife from Alavanyo as being alleged.

Mr Kpende said the allegations against the Regional Minister constituted a dirty campaign against Mr Owusu-Yeboa who was contesting the Biakoye parliamentary seat, which includes Nkonya but excludes Alavanyo.

"If it should come to the issue of using his position to favour any of the parties in the dispute the obvious choice should be Nkonya", he emphasised.

Mr Kpende said people who had any bones to pick with Mr Owusu-Yeboa should not mix it with the conflict.

He said the Regional Minister's parliamentary ambition had nothing to do with the dispute and his opponents had better find a more mature way of engaging him on the political platform.

"We view the ongoing allegations and accusations as a ploy to undermine the noble moves being made by the Regional Minister to settle the 80 year old conflict," Mr Kpende said.