Ho, May 18, GNA - The Volta Regional Secretariat of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), is liaising with the Tsito/Peki Peace Building Committee, to collate data on victims of their land dispute. The move is to facilitate peace building efforts aimed at restoring harmonious relationships fractured some 30 years ago.

Mr Henry Ametepe, Volta Regional Coordinator of NADMO, announced this at a meeting with the Tsito/Peki Peace Building Committee on Tuesday. "We want to bring life back to internally displaced persons. Some families have lost their bread winners and needed some support in terms of food, shelter, clothing and education. "It is pathetic that the situation of some internally displaced and vulnerable persons cannot even be compared to that of refugees so we hope some support will help alleviate their plight and pains and put them in the right mood for peace talks," he added.

Mr Ametepe said it was sad that the disputed land had been fallow for the past 30 years while inhabitants live in hunger and abject poverty. The Ghana News Agency (GNA) learnt that some of those displaced by the dispute had to travel several kilometres to hire land in other traditional areas for subsistence farming. Mr Joseph Amenowode, Volta Regional Minister commended NADMO for the foresight. "There is no disaster than war, so I commend you for being proactive," he said.

Mr Amenowode expressed the hope that the initiative would facilitate the peace process and achieve results as was done between the people of Nkonya and Alavanyo. Mr Isaac Kodobissah, Ho Municipal Chief Executive, also expressed gratitude to NADMO for the initiative and said it was necessary for development to take place in the area. He urged members of the Peace Building Committee to be fair and objective in their mediation to ensure peaceful resolution. Mr Kodobissah promised the readiness of the Assembly to lend technical and other forms of support to the initiative. The Tsito-Peki Peace Building Committee has been able to bring the two traditional areas together for joint activities including peace rallies and football matches after years of enmity and suspicion.