I have no power to decide who becomes Nandom Imam - Dery

The Member of Parliament for Nandom, Mr Ambrose Dery, has denied any involvement in a haggle among orthodox Muslims in his area over the choice of an Imam.

He has consequently warned community dwellers within his area to desist from violence in order not to incur the wrath of the law.

Mr Dery, who is also Minister for the Interior, said he would not spare anyone found stoking the flames of violence and conflict in the area.

Addressing the chiefs and people of Nandom Tradional Area at a durbar to climax the 29th Kakube Festival on Sunday, the Interior Minister said he had heard about rumours that he supported one faction in the dispute over the choice of an Imam.

Mr Dery, who proclaimed his Christian background, said even in the Catholic Church where he worshiped, he did not have the power to decide the fate of leadership and position holders, and would not stray into the territory of Muslims.

He urged the emerging factions not to compromise the peace of the area as they went about the processes of choosing an Imam.

He said “if your disagreements manifest itself in a violent manner”, he would deal with the culprits to restore order.

The otherwise lively MP appeared frustrated by recent violent acts by youth across the country, many of them affiliates of the ruling New Patriotic Party.

He said the regional police command had taken some steps to curb the spate of armed robberies in the region.