Wa (Upper West Region) - After almost two years of sharp differences between a cross-section of party supporters and the Regional Executive of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Upper West Region resulting in the burning of party campaign vans and the staging of several demonstrations, peace has finally returned to the party with both sides reconciling and smoking the peace pipe.

In his direction, the group of supporters who were known and called the ?Talibans? have decided to reject the name and vowed not to accept it because as they put it, ?we have joyfully returned home.?

The group has also pledged its fullest support for the Regional Executive, the Wa East and Central constituency executives, President Kufuor and the entire national executive of the party.

These were contained in a statement issued by the Regional NPP chairman, Alhaji Abdulai Issahaque, at a news conference to unveil the peace and reconciliation deal at Wa. The statement said with their differences now behind them, the membership of the ?Elephants family? was poised for fireworks to recapture its rightful place as a Danquah/Busia stronghold.

?We are happy today that these things have come to pass and members of the party have come back stronger than ever. While welcoming our brothers and sisters back into the mainstream of the party, we want to appeal to all members of the party to resolve all differences and live together as one,? the statement added.

It described the management of the differences at acceptable levels as an indicator of maturity and urged all members of the NPP throughout the country to emulate their shining example and break all factional barriers and unite to assist the leadership of the party to build a strong and vibrant party that would stand the test of time.

The statement apologised to President Kufuor and the two-man high powered delegation led by the government spokesperson, Kwabena Adjepong, who were in the region sometime ago to resolve the differences. ?Indeed we would congratulate them. For whatever reconciliation we have today, was truly initiated by them,? it stressed.

The conference was attended by a large number of party supporters, high ranking party members from both sides, the Regional Minister, Mogtari Sahanun, his Special Assistant, Stephen Engman and the District Chief Executive for Jirapa-Lambusie, Mrs Winfred Dy-Yakah.