By Caesar Abagali, GNA
Tamale, Apr 21, GNA – Factions in the Nanum squabble at Bimbilla in the Nanumba North District of the Northern Region have been advised to accept dialogue as the only means of maintaining peace for socio-economic development of the area.
Mr Albert Yelyang, National Network Coordinator of the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP-Ghana) who gave the advice said it was also necessary for the people of Bimbilla to avoid actions and attitudes that might affect dialogue and preventive diplomacy in the peace process.
He was speaking at the opening of a two-day training for key and influential youth at Bimbilla, organized by WANEP-Ghana on the theme: “Enhancing Capacity of Youth to facilitate Dialogue in Bimbilla”.
The training formed part of the Northern Ghana Governance Activity, which is a five-year USAID sponsored programme being implemented by a consortium of NGOs comprising CARE International, ActionAid-Ghana, SEND-Ghana, End-Ghana and WANEP-Ghana.
The training aimed at enhancing the awareness of the participants about the NGGA project, and on the basic principles of conflict and peace dialogue, mediation and negotiations among others.
Mr Yelyang said it required regretting of past incidences, forgiveness and the impartial support from every stakeholder especially situations where the dynamics of ethnic, chieftaincy and land conflicts tended to change when there was a change in political regimes, for peace to reign.
He said though the Bimbilla conflict was manageable and solvable, it needed more efforts from all stakeholders because people could not imagine shifting posts on their positions and interests as well as the hope for a win-lose outcomes in favour of either faction seemed high.
He observed that the perennial violent incidences, attitudes and behaviours had constantly created mistrust, fear and insecurity among members of the factions and that it was important to stop fighting to allow farmers to move freely as the rainy season set in.
Mr Yelyang said passions, emotions, lack of patience by both the youth and elders had become a hindrance in addressing the problem despite the important value placed on the cherished tradition of chieftaincy.
Mr Michael Alandu, Chief of Party of CARE International, said the youth represented the hope of their communities and that engaging in conflict would not help in the development of their areas.
He assured that CARE International would continue to work with its partners and other stakeholders to ensure that there was peace at Bimbilla for the needed development to address poverty and hunger.
GNA
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