Tamale, June 10, GNA - The leadership of political parties in the Northern Region have resolved to separate chieftaincy matters from partisan politics in Dagbon to facilitate the process of finding a lasting solution to the crisis in the area.

They said chieftaincy problems had gradually crept into the political fibre of the Dagbon society and had created the impression that partisan politics and chieftaincy were "bed-fellows" thereby creating tension and political violence

In a communiqu=E9 issued at the end of a three-day peace building and conflict transformation workshop in Tamale on Wednesday, the political parties called on all their supporters and activists to remove chieftaincy issues from partisan politics as they approached Election 2004.

Representatives of the New Patriotic Party (NPP); National Democratic Congress (NDC), People's National Convention (PNC), Conventions People's Party (CPP), United Ghana movement (UGM), Democratic People's Party (DPP), National Reform Party (NRP) and Great Consolidated People's Party (GCPP) signed the resolution.

The forum was organised for the Northern Region Peace Advisory Council (NORPAC), representatives of political parties and the media in Tamale. The Ghana Network for Peace Building (GHANEP), a nongovernmental organisation (NGO) and the Northern Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) organised the forum.

The communiqu=E9 noted that it had come to the notice of the political parties that some of party activists attended political activities carrying offensive weapons and this had often resulted in human casualties and destruction of property.

The parties advised their supporters to desist from carrying weapons about since the political parties would no longer protect them when the law catches up with them.

They noted: "With the fragile peace in the Region, the rule of law must be applied but we appreciate the magnanimity of the security agencies in the handling of political problems in the area." 10 June 04