The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Shani Alhassan Shaibu, has invited the Northern Region House of Chiefs to strengthen ties with the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) to curb the pockets of violence resulting from chieftaincy conflicts in the region.
Addressing the Second General Meeting of the Northern Region House of Chiefs in Tamale on Tuesday, the Minister said the two institutions must collaborate to maintain law and order.
“As a Regional Security Council, we have a firm belief that this noble House is better placed to handle the resolution of these disputes as we also continue our role in maintaining the peace, law and order of the region”, Alhaji Shaibu emphasised.
He assured the Chiefs that the Akufo-Addo government will continue to create the needed enabling environment for socioeconomic growth. Alhaji Shaibu however stated that peace is prerequisite to the numerous business opportunities and infrastructure growth undertaken by the government.
In spite of the relative peace in the northern region, the Minister said the chieftaincy crisis in Nanton, Karaga, Yong Dakpemyili, Bimbila and land disputes in Saboba remain complex situations in the area.
Alhaji Shaibu stated that the Regional Security Council will continue to monitor the situations so that they do not escalate into violence even though there are constraints.
“We are constrained as REGSEC by our mandate in seeking a clear and lasting solution to the disputes related to land and chieftaincy. By our establishment also, it is sometimes very difficult to intervene to resolve these disputes because we are expected to be professional and neutral at all times and as you know the line between conflict resolution and interference is usually very thin.
“It is our view that this house would take up these matters and act on them diligently and also negotiate and dialogue with the factions involved as well as collaborate with Agencies such as the Regional Peace Council, so that we as REGSEC focus mainly on the security aspect” Alhaji Shaibu urged the Regional House of Chiefs.
Committees
The Northern Region House of Chiefs has set up two separate committees to investigate Chieftaincy stalemates in Karaga and Sanguli.
The Kumbungu Naa Iddrisu Abu, Bakpab-Naa Adam Natogmah and Saboba Naa John Mathew Sakogim IV were selected to investigate the Karaga crisis whilst Tolon Naa Major (rtd) Sulemana Abubakari I, Bakpab-Naa Adam Natogmah and Nakpale-Bore (Tatale Chief) Yankosor II are also nominated to bring finality to the Sanguli chieftaincy impasse.
Ya Naa Abukari II, President of the Northern House of Chiefs in his remarks admonished the six-member committee to expedite action on those issues.
He urged the committees not to overlook the customs and traditions of those areas in the course of their work to bring justice without fear or favour.
Meanwhile, information available to THE CUSTODIAN indicates the standoff in the Nanton traditional area has not officially been brought to the notice of the house, meaning no official complaint has been made to the house in that regard to occasion an investigation.
