Nkonya, Alavanyo chiefs start series of peace talks

In spite of several efforts and initiatives to resolve the long-standing conflict between the Nkonya and Alavanyo communities, innocent lives continue to perish in these areas. Six lives were lost between April and May this year but no arrest has been made by the security agencies. In yet another effort to end the about century-old conflict, the Volta regional house of chiefs, on Wednesday held a dialogue with the leadership of the two communities in the Volta regional capital, Ho. The well attended meeting sought to identify hidden issues leading to brokering a lasting peace in both areas, TV3’s Peter Adattor reports. The paramount chief of Likpe traditional area and president of the Volta regional house of chiefs, Nana Soglo Alloh IV, indicated that the residents have sworn oath of secrecy and silence, making it difficult to identifying culprits engaged in atrocities. “The rational for calling the meeting is to find a long term peace for Nkonya and Alavanyo. All the invited guest have agreed to the peace term and what is left is to hold other meetings with the various security parameters well arranged.” Persons who attended the peace talk meeting from the two communities agreed in principle, to help resolve the impasse. The paramount queen of Nkonya traditional area, Nana Otubea II, welcomed the initiative. “We the Nkonya people and the paramount chief of Nkonya are grateful to the traditional council to make sure that there is peace and tranquillity in the area.” Nana Otubea On his part, the regent of Nkonya-Tayi, Nana Yawo Eletey, who represented the paramount chief of the Nkonya traditional area also pledged to the peace talks. The meeting, first in series to be held, tasked the leadership of the two communities to strengthen the negotiation and instil discipline among their grassroots. Meanwhile, the decision regarding the suspension of the two paramouncies from the regional house of chiefs has been deferred until the next general meeting in September this year. By Comfort Ahenkorah | 3news.com| Ghana]]>