TINDONGO AND NAMOALGO SMOKE “PEACE PIPE”(D/G Wednesday, September 12, 2012)

Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga The leadership of two communities in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region, Tindongo and Namoalgo which were recently involved in violent communal clash that led to the death of four persons have initiated steps towards the restoration of peace. As a first move, elders of the two communities met over the weekend to perform traditional ceremonies to indicate their resolve to co-exist in peace. The leadership of the two communities under the guidance of the President and Paramount Chief of the Talensi Traditional Council, at the weekend jointly poured libation to announce their decision to put the effects of conflict and their pains aside, to enable their people co-exist peacefully again. Other rites are expected to be performed jointly to conclude the process towards restoring peace. It will be recalled that the people of Tindongo and Namoalgo clashed on Tuesday June 5, 2012, following tension between the two communities over the ownership of a piece of land. This led to the death of four persons, two from each community. A number of persons were arrested in the aftermath of the violence with some of them facing the courts for disturbing public peace. The Chief of Baare, Naba Sylvester Balangumyetimi who read a statement on behalf of the President and Paramount Chief of the Talensi Traditional Council at the durbar of Chief and people of the two communities at Namoalgo, called on both side to always use dialogue to settle their misunderstandings and never should they result to the use of weapons and violence to solve their problems. He disclosed that following a series of mediation by a committee instituted by the Talensi Traditional Council, it was concluded that there was the need to smoke the peace pipe with a joint ceremony by the leadership of the two communities. The Council however appealed to Regional Coordinating Council and the to help withdraw the case from the courts for a peaceful settlement by the Traditional Council since it has already started the mediation process toward lasting peace in the area. The Staff Officer at the Regional Police Headquarters, Deputy Superintendent of Police, (DSP), Mr. Charles Obiri commended the two communities for agreeing to settle their difference in the interest of peace and development and expressed the hope that move will mark the beginning of the peace building process. Responding to the request for the withdrawal of the case from Court, DSP Obiri said, much will depend on the level of commitment and dedication toward the peace process initiated. “ after all the case is in court to ensure a peaceful settlement and so if you can assure that you are the position to do that, then your request can be granted. But you must first address all bottle necks that could spark the conflict again”, he said. The Deputy Regional Minister, Mrs. Lucy Awuni tasked the Traditional Council to encourage their members to educate their people on the need for tolerance and always use dialogue in settling disputes especially as the nation gradually enters the Political Campaign season. The ceremony was witnessed by Chiefs and Traditional elders from Talensi Traditional Area, as well as the District Chief Executive for the area, Madam Vivian Anafo. -End-