President Nana Akufo-Addo has showered praise on the Evangelical Presbyterian (EP) Church of Ghana for their extra efforts beyond religious affairs in addressing the Alavanyo and Nkonya conflict in the Volta region.

The age-old land dispute between the people of Alavanyo and Nkonya has left scores dead with hundreds injured and many people being displaced.

A security expert, Emmanuel Bombande, had even observed in an interview with Class91.3FM that the conflict which may have been started by disagreement over land some nine decades ago, has resulted in deep-seated resentment, mutual suspicion, and hatred among the two communities, and so if the government has taken over the land, it must also look at finding lasting solutions to the problem.

However, Mr Akufo-Addo, who was speaking on Thursday, August 24 at the 8th Biennial General Assembly of the EP Church of Ghana currently underway at Legon in Accra, singled out the EP Church for praise for its conflict-resolution role in the area and other places across the country.

“I’m exceptionally impressed by your collaboration with the Peace Council at regional and national level and the particular efforts that you have made and are making in seeking peaceful resolution to conflicts in Alavanyo, Nkonya, Bimbilla and other areas,” he said.

Mr Akufo-Addo was also hopeful that the EP Church will turn their attention towards early childhood education in Ghana.

The president quoted Aristotle, saying, “Give me a child until he is 7 and I will show you the man,” to stress on the need to identify and develop talents at a tender age for better gains when they grow up.