All parties to the ongoing land dispute in the North Gonja District of the Savannah Region have been urged by the Northern Development Forum (NDF) to put an end to hostilities while efforts are made to guarantee an amicable resolution of their disagreements.
The summit also stressed the need to step up efforts to reduce language distinctions among northerners and instead highlight their many shared cultural and linguistic traits that would bring them together for faster growth in their individual areas.
In the event of border disputes and land conflicts, "we urge all to work diligently with the various traditional councils and metropolitan, municipal, and district assemblies (MMDAs) to preach peace and advocate dialogue."
"The conflicts in North Gonja must not be allowed to determine the future of relations between two previously friendly countries."
Poverty is a shared adversary among the people of Northern Ghana, and we must pool all of our resources and efforts to combat it, the forum stated.
Major Albert Don Chebe (ret. ), the NDF chairman, made the request yesterday in an interview with the Daily Graphic.
Concerns
The forum also stated that the frequent unrest in some areas of the north was concerning, adding that "it is depressing to hear about another clash between groups who have shared a common heritage of neglect, lack of development, and poverty, against a background of debilitating poverty, atrocious living conditions, and deteriorating physical infrastructures."
"We are troubled by the fact that some people are quick to commit acts of destruction despite the fact that we face common challenges" to support claims of ethnic predominance and despoliation.
It is undeniable that these fights, together with the subsequent acts of livelihood destruction and the uprooting of vulnerable rural people, contribute to the false perception of an unfriendly environment.
Reflection
The conference consequently urged the people to focus on the direct harm and collateral damage that the ongoing conflicts were causing them and come together for their common benefit.
In the statement, it was stated that "we wish to call on the children of Northern Ghana to reflect on the immeasurable harm these flare-ups do to the image of the north and the ready ammunition given to our "unfriendly" interests to use these unfortunate incidents to deny vast swathes of peaceful north physical infrastructure, social amenities, and economic opportunities."
Background
Last Thursday, renewed chieftaincy and land disputes between the Lukula and Mempeasem villages led to at least seven fatalities and several injuries.
Rival chiefs from the Wasipe Traditional Area in the Savannah Region and the Soo Traditional Area in the North East Region were involved in the battle.
The two traditional territories' borders are where the Lukula community is located.
During the process, several homes were also set on fire, which resulted in the eviction of some people, mostly women and children.
In relation to the disruptions, the law has certain suspects under arrest.
Over the years, the region has experienced recurrent chieftaincy and land disputes.
However, it is unclear what may have precipitated the most recent violence.
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