Cosmos Sarpong, Spokes Person |
Residents of
Nkonya led by the youth of the area has carried out their promise to hold a news
conference as an alternative move to a demonstration which was stopped a
fortnight ago by Police and Military in the area.
The Nkonya people
represent a faction in dispute with Alavanyo over a piece of land for the past
90 years. Their press conference which could be likened to mini-demonstration
was attended by over 600 residents who converged at Nkonya Nchumuru for the
petition to be read.
The residents represented
under a group called; Coalition of Orphans, Widows and Victims of
Nkonya-Alavanyo Conflict, in their petition appealed to the President to
institute an investigation into the activities of the Volta Regional Security
Council (REGSEC) in relation to protracted communal conflict and the peace
process.
Reading the
petition, the spokesperson, Cosmos Sarpong claimed that the REGSEC since
September 2013 was thwarting efforts by an NGO; Youth for Peace and Security
Africa, YPS-AFRICA which started a peace building process among the people of
both Nkonya and Alavanyo.
He added that some
people seem to be profiteering from the conflict. There by resulting in the in
the seemingly lukewarm attitude of the government in resolving the 90 year old
conflict.
The group also
questioned the essence of the 14 hour curfew, which they say had rather
increased the spate of attacks. They said, the curfew only “exposes us to more
danger, poverty, harassment and economic hardship.”
To this end they
called on government to also provide better security and education by reviewing
the curfew. They also reminded the President of his promise made to them on 7th
August, 2013 when he visited the area. According to them,
their smiles, hopes and aspirations had been waned after the President’s
promise turned out to be a mere rhetoric.
Failure to do the
above or delay in granting their request will live them with no option than to
take their security into their hands by defending themselves against the
unknown gunmen. They will also go against the curfew that is sucking their
livelihood from them. Finally they will also “expose all those people making
money out of this conflict whiles innocent people are dying.”
REGSEC
Response
But in a strong
response, the Volta Regional Minister, Helen Adwoa Ntoso who is also the
Chairperson of REGSEC has describes the claims as ridiculous. She noted that if
the REGSEC members were profiteering why would they commit more men to the
area.
“Do you know that
an additional 30 Policemen have been sent to the area from Accra, Do you know
how much it costs to feed and cater for the security in the area?” she quizzed.
In relation to the
YPS-Africa claim, she said no NGO can be allowed to work in isolation in the
Nkonya-Alavanyo conflict, except if that organization is working with the
recognized Regional and National Peace Council.
On the curfew
hours and security, Madam Ntoso noted that the actions of the feuding parties
had to their current situation and that “peace cannot prevail until the people
themselves realize that what they are doing is wrong and have to unite and
jaw-jaw.”
She said “if they
want the security to be in the bush, then government will look at that
critically.”
She lamented how the
curfew had negatively affected a road construction at Alavanyo. She commended
the youth for coming out and urged them to urge their people, including their
leaders to closely work with the REGSEC and the Peace Council to restore peace
to the area.
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