A peace-building organization, the Africa Centre for Peace Building is appealing to the government of Ghana to use dialogue to resolve the Volta secessionists group, Homeland Study Group Foundation adding that “arrest and prosecution may not solve the issue.”
In a press statement copied Awake News signed by the Executive Director of Africa Centre for Peace Building, Korsi Senyo said the Centre has “taken note of reports that Homeland Study Group Foundation led by Mr. Charles Komi Kudzodzi (Papavi Hogbedetor) allegedly declared parts of Ghana [Volta Region, parts of Northern, North East, Oti, and Upper East regions] independent of Ghana last Saturday, November 16, 2019.”
The statement said the Centre has also taken note of media reports “Wednesday, November 20, 2019 suggesting that the Volta Regional Security Council has arrested 10 members of the separatist movement, Homeland Study Group Foundation. We also took note of similar arrest of the members of the group in May this year where it was reported that about 81 people were arrested but the state after months dropped the case and caution the accused.”
According to Mr. Korsi Senyo, “we are of the strong belief that the best solution to this critical issue is not the arrest and prosecution of the people involved rather the state must take every necessary step to engage the people to involved through a National Dialogue”.
“It is very important to note that this is a serious issue that has the potential of escalating into serious violent conflict and instability which we are of the belief that not all conflicts that can be resolved through arrest and prosecution.” – He added
Mr. Senyo has cautioned that “We must let Nigeria’s Biafra civil war guide us to understand the magnitude of the issue and the best approach to use in resolving the conflict.”
He has since appealed for citizens to exercise restraint while making public comments on the matter whiles urging “the leadership of the Homeland Study Group Foundation to exercise calm and use dialogue means to echo their concerns for an amicable settlement especially at the time that we are of the view that Africa needs no borders and division to progress.”
Read the full statement:
Volta Secession Case: Time for National Dialogue; Arrest and Prosecution May Not Solve The Issue
The Africa Centre for Peace Building has taken note of reports that Homeland Study Group Foundation led by Mr. Charles Komi Kudzodzi (Papavi Hogbedetor) allegedly declared parts of Ghana [Volta Region, parts of Northern, North East, Oti, and Upper East regions] independent of Ghana last Saturday, November 16, 2019.
We have also taken note of the Government’s statement signed by Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah on the issue saying the that the separatists will be dealt with adding that “Ghana remains a sovereign state which has not ceded any part of its territory to any person or group of persons”.
In the said government statement, the Information Minister said: “While admonishing the public to disregard the claims by the group, the general public is hereby informed that state security agencies are taking the necessary measures to ensure that persons involved with the illegal act, are dealt with in accordance with the law”
The statement was followed by media reports on Wednesday, November 20, 2019 suggesting that the Volta Regional Security Council has arrested 10 members of the separatist movement, Homeland Study Group Foundation.
We also took note of similar arrest of the members of the group in May this year where it was reported that about 81 people were arrested but the state after months dropped the case and caution the accused.
It is against this backdrop that we are of the strong belief that the best solution to this critical issue is not the arrest and prosecution of the people involved rather the state must take every necessary step to engage the people to involved through a National Dialogue.
It is very important to note that this is a serious issue that has the potential of escalating into serious violent conflict and instability which we are of the belief that not all conflicts that can be resolved through arrest and prosecution. We must let Nigeria’s Biafra civil war guide us to understand the magnitude of the issue and the best approach to use in resolving the conflict.
We also wish to urge citizens to exercise restraint while making public comments on the matter.
We also wish to appeal on the leadership of the Homeland Study Group Foundation to exercise calm and use dialogue means to echo their concerns for an amicable settlement especially at the time that we are of the view that Africa needs no borders and division to progress.
end-
Signed:
Korsi Senyo, Executive Director, Africa Centre for Peace Building
Jame Abiaduka, Board Chairman, Africa Centre for Peace Building
Contact: 0249155003 / senyo@afcopb.org
CC:
Minister of Interior, Hon. Ambrose Derry
Minister of National Security, Hon. Alber Kan Dapaah
Chairman, National Peace Council
President, National House of Chiefs
Source: awakenewsroom.com