The Bishop of Yendi Vincent Sowah Boi-Nai has called on the Security Agencies to always act promptly on early warning signals to avoid escalation in order to sustain peace in Yendi and its environs and Dagbon as a whole.
He expressed his appreciation for the great work the security did during the funerals of late Ya-Na Mahamadu Abdulai IV and the funeral of late Yakubu Abdlai Andani II and the enskinment of Ya-Na Mahama Abukari II.
He indicated that the peace and stability now in Dagbon is due to the various roles they have been playing and they should keep it up.
Bishop Sowah Boi-Nai made the call during a workshop on sustaining peace in Yendi and its environs organized by Yendi Peace Centre Funded by Drei Konigsaktion der Katholischen Jungschar (DKA) Austria, Europe for the Security Personnel at the Residence of the Bishop at Yendi in the Northern Region.
He said people now feel safe and there is freedom of movement without curfew as it sometimes used to be.
He commended them for acting quickly to bring about peace in Sambu between some traders in Sambu market on Wednesday, September 25, 2019 in Mion District of Northern Region.
Bishop Sowah Boi-Nai who is Patron of Yendi Peace Centre and also Vice Chairman of the National Peace Council noted that what usually brought about ethnic conflict and disturbances in Dagbon and its environs include Chieftaincy disputes, land demarcation political among others.
According to him issue of false solidarity, bending the traditional rules and customs of Dagbon, lies and rumours, Political influence, influence of faceless but influential people were some of the causes of conflicts in Dagbon.
He reminded them that there is the need for them to organize orientation for Security Personnel who are posted to the area for them to know much about the people of the area.
He said the Centre has plans in collaboration with them (Security) to organize a public forum to educate the people on appropriate behavior on pertinent issues as regards peaceful co-existence.
He said there will also be a workshop with Assembly men and women so as to get some insight into what is going on in various parts of the town and electoral areas.
Bishop Sowah Boi-Nai said the people would appreciate to volunteer information whenever there is prompt action when the security are called upon on early warning signals in their areas.
He appealed to the security to always be neutral in performing their duties.
In his welcome address, Mr. Peter Atia Secretary of the Centre said the Yendi Peace Centre was inaugurated in 2016 having Bishop as Patron with other executive members from the then Abudu and Andani Royal Families who started mediating the Dagbon conflict in 2005.
Mr. Atia said series of meetings were held with Chiefs, King makers, Royals including the present Ya-Na who was the Chief of Kpunkpono a village near Yendi and was later enskined Chief of Savelugu.
He said they have proved very neutral till date in organizing 155 meetings, workshops, mediation among others including the security workshop.
He said the theme: for the workshop “Sustaining Peace in Yendi and its environs” is very appropriate.
He indicated that the Centre does not want to take the current fragile peace they are enjoying for granted that is why they organized the workshop so that together they can put in place a mechanism that could enhance a sustainable peace in Yendi and Dagbon as a whole.
Story filed by the Municipal Information Officer, Edward Dawuni
