Wednesday, October 14, 2009

USE DIALOGUE TO RESOLVE DIFFERENCES (PAGE 20, OCT 14)

PARTICIPANTS at a workshop on promoting peace during electioneering, have called on the youth in the Bunkpurugu-Yunyoo District in the Northern region to use dialogue to resolve their differences, instead of resorting to violence.
They stated that conflicts in the district were responsible for the slow pace of development in the area, as resources meant for development were used to resolve conflict related issues.
The participants comprised security personnel, assembly members, donor agencies, and staff of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE).
The workshop was aimed at preventing violence in the district, especially during elections.
The NCCE organised the workshop in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The District Chief Executive (DCE), Hajia Mavis Meliga Bawa advised the youth in the area to give peace a chance by avoiding acts of lawlessness.
She expressed concern about the huge sums of money being spent by the assembly on peace building programmes and prevention of conflicts.
The District Director of the NCCE, Mr Thomas Agorgo also entreated the youth to live in peace and harmony with their colleagues, irrespective of their political affiliation and tribe, to accelerate development in the district.
The Regional Director of the NCCE, Mr Sulemana Haruna called on the UNDP to support his outfit in its bid to embark on an intensive education campaign in the communities to reduce to the barest minimum, violent conflicts and communal violence.
The District Police Commander, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Oduro Amaning called on residents of the area to co-operate with the security personnel to maintain peace.
According to him, the maintenance of peace was a collective responsibility and not the preserve of the security agencies.

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