
Nkwanta conflict threat to development — MP
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Nkwanta-South, Geoffrey Kini, has described the protracted conflict in the area as a major threat to the development of the municipality.
He has, therefore, called on the youth and chiefs in the municipality to smoke the peace pipe in the interest of unity.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic last Thursday, he said the picking up of arms at the drop of a hat had put the municipality in a state of insecurity and retarded development.
He said it was worrying that tensions continue to brew between the feuding factions, particularly the Adele, Akyode and Chala tribes when they should rather be working together for a common goal.
“As expected, the politicians have tried to make capital out of the ethnic conflict and have brought out the deepest feelings of grief from the families not only in the area but also around the country,” he said.
Mr Kini urged the youth to lay down their arms to create a conducive atmosphere necessary for peace to prevail.
He said it was when peace and unity existed among the people that investors would invest in the local economy to stimulate growth and development.
Context
For some years now, Nkwanta and its surrounding towns have been in the news for bad reasons because of the protracted conflict involving the Akyode, Adele and Chala. The conflict has escalated within the past three years, leading to the loss of many lives and the destruction of property running into millions of cedis.
On January 3 this year, the situation worsened, threatening the peace, safety and prosperity of the residents.
The Nkwanta town has been placed under curfew for a long time following the protracted conflict.
For instance, following the renewed clashes on January 3, the government imposed a dawn-to-dusk curfew on the area.
The imposition of the curfew brought the bustling Nkwanta town to a virtual standstill with some people unable to go to work, while families are breaking down.
MP’s investment
The MP said over the two terms in Parliament, he had contributed his quota to the various sectors of the local economy ranging from health care to sanitation.
In the education sector for instance, he said apart from scholarships offered to brilliant, needy students, he was in the process of turning the 20 pavilions into classrooms.
Again, he said he had donated 20 computers to each of the four senior high schools and motorbikes to the Circuit Supervisors of Education in his constituency.
In the area of health, the MP said he has supported the Nkwanta Hospital with motorbikes, organised eye screening clinics, surgery programme and also procured a quantity of cement bags for the rehabilitation of various health facilities.
He has also constructed market stalls at Kue, Yamboung, Ketchibe, Odumase, Tutukpene, Bontibor and Pusupu to stimulate the main economic activities in the area.
Mr Kini said he had donated over 500 packets of roofing sheets and 500 bags of cement to the affected communities.