Regional News of Thursday, 22 June 2006

Source: GNA

Report on clashes between two groups to be made public

Accra, June 22, GNA - Mr Kofi Dzamesi, Volta Regional Minister, on Thursday told Parliament that with a functioning court at Kete Krachi it was hoped that any individual or groups of persons trying to fan communal conflict in the area would be dealt with.

"I am happy to say that the court is now functioning as a result of a positive response to an appeal made to the Chief Justice to post a magistrate to Kete Krachi," he said in response to a question on when the Bishop Mante Committee Report on the Krachi and Muslims clashes in early 2005, would be published.

Mr Dzamesi said from 2002 to 2005, a number of conflicts erupted between the Krachis and the Zongo Community of Kete Krachi disturbing the peace in the area.

He said the Committee was appointed in 2005 to probe the causes of the conflict and to make recommendations for the way forward. He said the Committee submitted its report in late 2005 and made certain recommendations, which led to the operationlisation of the Kete Krachi Magistrate's Court.

Mr Dzamesi said the report would be made public after the Regional Security Council had made its recommendations on it.

He said both the Krachis and Zongo communities had been urged to revive their respective festivals as a peace building measure.

"The District Chief Executive of Krachi West has been specifically directed to ensure that under the Youth Employment Scheme, as many youth as possible from both communities are offered employment to help to prevent agitation among the youth in the town.