Tamale, Aug. 6, GNA - Blacksmiths and butchers in the Tamale Metropolis on Saturday set the pace for reunion and reconciliation amongst them when they engaged in a unity football match to drum home the need to live in peace and harmony in the Region.

It is perceived by tradition among Dagombas that butchers and blacksmiths are sworn enemies and are often seen as the main trouble causers both in the Tamale Metropolis and in the Yendi District and the match was therefore organised to erase the perception to ensure lasting peace and unity amongst them.

The match which was organised at the instance of the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris and Sabta-Fadnu Foundation, a peace-building NGO based in Tamale was also aimed at preparing the fertile grounds for a peaceful atmosphere in the Metropolis before, during and after the CAN 2008 soccer fiesta.

The outcome of the match was therefore not about who won the match but the fact that the two groups have decided to bury their differences and engage in a peaceful sport and this became a marvel as to draw a large following of enthusiastic football lovers to throng to the Zogbeli school park to witness the unbelievable in the Metropolis. The last time the two groups engaged in a football match was in 1996.

Even though the match ended one-all, there was wild jubilation by both groups to signify that there was reunion and reconciliation amongst them.

The young and the aged expressed their joy after the match to indicate that peace was gradually returning to the Metropolis and the Region.

An old man, Afa Seidu told the GNA Sports after the match that, "I can't believe what I've seen today. The two are like the tools that the blacksmiths manufactures (knifes and cutlasses) that the butcher use to slaughter and cut meat into pieces. Since the two are together today, Tamale would now be peaceful".

Alhaji Idris in an address after the match, stressed the need for all, especially the two groups to live in peace, unity and understanding in the Region adding that, "Peace brings development and progress to every society and we must all strive to ensure lasting peace". He said with Tamale co-hosting the CAN 2008, it would open the doors for many investments to come to the Region and therefore called on the people to exhibit the spirit of togetherness, love and good neighbourliness to ensure that a successful CAN 2008 was hosted by the Region.

The Regional Minister later presented a set of jerseys and one million cedis each to the two groups and urged them to live in continued peace and prove to the world that there was no hatred between them. Representatives of the groups expressed gratitude to the Regional Minister and the NGO for organising the match and gave the assurance that they would continue to comport themselves in every occasion for peace to prevail in the Region. The organisers said similar unity matches would be played in Yendi to ensure that the Northern Region became peaceful and a haven for business setups to solve the youth unemployment in the Region. 06 Aug. 06