Mr Clemence Gyato, the Nkonya/Alavanyo Peace Ambassador, has reiterated the appeal to government to take over the Nkonya/Alavanyo disputed land.
He said the 94 year-old land dispute seemed unending despite efforts by religious bodies and other stakeholders and urged government to seize the land and use the resources for national development.
He said the virgin land could be used for a “district factory” to employ young people from the two areas to reduce rural-urban migration and open up those areas for development.
Mr Gyato said this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency when Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, the Volta Regional Minister, visited the chiefs and people of Alavanyo and Nkonya and appealed to them to end their land dispute to attract investors to the area.
“The rhetoric is too much and assurances from the two areas are no longer inspiring,” Mr Gyato said.
He said it was unfortunate that though the traditional areas had had several reconciliation durbars and performed rituals invoking the gods against anyone who attacked the other, killings were still being recorded.
Mr Gyato recalled that churches in the two traditional areas also had prayer and fasting sessions for peace but to no avail and said the only way out was for the Government to take over the piece of land.
Togbega Tsedze Atakora VII, the Paramount Chief of Alavanyo, earlier told the Regional Minister that Alavanyo had no objection if government wanted to take over the land.
Mr Ellis Prince Antsroe, an opinion leader and native of Alavanyo, who said he was stepping foot at Nkonya for the first time, said the conflict situation had caused the near collapse of senior high schools in the two areas and said “government must act now.”
Nana Apem Darko, Ankobeahene of Nkonya Traditional Area, urged government to use the land for development projects to benefit the two areas.
“Make good use of the field so we cannot go there to fight,” he stated.
Nana Okotor Kofi III, Paramount Chief of Nkonya, said the area was committed to ensuring that peace prevailed.
Nana Kwadwo Asiakwa II, Paramount Chief of Nkonya Wurupong, said though the area was enjoying relative peace, they needed “permanent peace.”
Dr Letsa appealed to the people to unite for “permanent peace” because bad press on sporadic shooting incidents was turning investors away from the communities.
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