Youth leaders from Nima and other communities in the East Ayawaso District in the Greater Accra Region apologised to the government for their role in the violent protest against the Police in reaction to the stadium disaster.

The youth leaders numbering about 30 were accompanied to the State House by their community chiefs and religious leaders where they met Vice- President Aliu Mahama and other government officials to review their role in the violence which led to the destruction of social amenities and private property.

Mr Ahmed Swallah, spokesman for the youth, made a personal apology to President John Agyekum Kufuor, the Police Command and personnel of the Nima Police Station in particular as well as individuals and groups of persons who might have been affected by their action.

He said their action, although unjustified, was not premeditated but rather a spontaneous reaction to the alleged role the Police played in last Wednesday's disaster which led to the death of 126 soccer fans.

Mr Swallah said the youth of the area cannot be blamed solely for the violence since a number of strange people were seen actively involved in the ensuing violence.

He asked the security agencies to investigate the background of these people who were adamant to calls by opinion leaders to exercise restraint.

Alhaji Baba Issah, Chairman of the Ayawaso Council of Muslim Chiefs, who led the delegation, expressed his appreciation for the promptness and sense of urgency, with which the President and the government dealt with the tragedy.

"We are calling on all bereaved families and aggrieved members of the public to exercise restraint and conduct their affairs in an orderly manner."

Alhaji Mahama assured the delegation about the determination of the government to facilitate the development of Nima and other deprived Zongo communities.

He said such communities must make peace and stability a priority to get the necessary attention they deserve.

Alhaji Mahama said the new air of freedom the country is enjoying should not be marred by such acts of violence.

He appealed to the youth to use the open-door policy of the government to make their grievances known.

Both Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Minister of Presidential Affairs and General Joshua Hamidu, National Security Adviser, said the government would investigate allegations of external influence in the youth violence to forestall future occurrence.

"We are not sleeping over the matter because we have a duty to promote peace and stability," said General Hamidu.

Alhaji Malik Alhassan Yakubu, Minister of the Interior, lauded the show of remorse displayed by the youth as a sign of responsibility, which would promote national unity.