STOP FIGHTING — ALIU (Spread)

Story: Zakaria Alhassan & Charles Benoni Okine, Tamale

VICE-PRESIDENT Aliu Mahama has told the people of the three northern regions that the rapid social and economic development taking place in other parts of the country will not wait for them if they opt to fight among themselves.
“You must be reminded that the development of Ghana is not waiting for the north and the earlier we stop fighting among ourselves, the better, because it is only when our area is peaceful that we can attract money to enhance our development process,” he added.
Alhaji Mahama made the call when he joined hundreds of Muslims across the country to celebrate the seventh-day funeral rites (Ahdua) of the late Northern Regional Chief Imam, Alhaji Adam Abdulai, at the Tamale Central Mosque at the weekend.
Alhaji Abdulai was 86 and was the Chief Imam for 43 years.
Prominent among the mourners were the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Idris; the General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Johnson Asiedu-Nketia, and the running mate of Professor John Evans Atta Mills in the 2004 elections, Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni.
The call comes at a time when renewed fighting between the Konkombas and Bimobas, which has claimed six lives and seen many houses burnt down, has forced the government to position security forces in the area to avert further clashes.
The monthly budget for peacekeeping within the flash points in the three northern regions is said to be running into several billions of cedis.
Alhaji Mahama said the people of the north needed to see themselves as one people and not allow self-seeking people among them to divide their ranks.
The government, in its 2008 budget, announced the setting up of a development fund of GH¢25 million (¢250 billion) to accelerate the development of the area and the Vice-President appealed to them to allow the proceeds from the fund to go into what it was intended for, not to pay security forces.
Alhaji Mahama, who is one of the 17 aspiring presidential candidates of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), said the time to end the divisions among the people of the north was overdue and urged the people to begin the process now and see the benefits of peace.
"When you tell us you have smoked the peace pipe, you need to back it with deeds. I trust your true sense of judgement that once you have resolved to live in peace, you will abide by it," he added.
The look on the faces of the gathering showed remorse, with some murmuring in the local language, "It’s true, it’s true" as the Vice-President admonished them to live in unity from now.
The Vice-President described the late Imam as unassuming, tolerant, a unifier, peacemaker and an honest man who was blessed with few words embedded with wisdom.
He acknowledged the immense contribution of the Imam to the strict practice of the Islamic religious faith in the area and commended him for living an exemplary life.
On the attainment of sustainable peace and unity in Dagbon in particular, the Vice-President used the opportunity to emphasise the urgent need for forgiveness between the leadership of the two chieftaincy divides in the prevailing chieftaincy stalemate.
Alhaji Mahama noted that if that enviable feat was chalked up, it would not only enable the ancient kingdom to regain its lost glory but also bring back the desired peace and togetherness that had eluded the area following the long years of internecine chieftaincy conflicts.
He commended the leadership of the Tamale Mosque for successfully electing and installing a successor to the mantle in a very understanding and peaceful manner.
The new Imam expressed appreciation to the Vice-President and the government, all political parties, the chiefs, Mallams and Ghanaians in general for the concern and kindness shown to the family of the late Alhaji Abdulai.