Jun 22, 2017
The use of mediation has helped to resolve the raging impasse between the supporters of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Savelugu/Nantong and the newly elected Municipal Chief Executive for the area.
It was described as a “political deadlock” that culminated in violent acts and destruction of properties.
For about a month, the supporters of the NPP in Savelugu/Nantong vehemently protested the nomination and election of Hajia Ayishetu Seidu as Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Savelugu/Nantong.
The NPP members claimed she is an outsider who did not contribute to the party’s struggle towards winning power and demanded that one of their own was made MCE.
It was a battle between competence and party loyalty, as well as an issue of the illegal act of preventing a legally elected and appointed officer of the Assembly from carrying out her functions, versus the political reasoning and justification of the demands of the party protestors.
However, after a long stalemate, the dispute was subjected to mediation, and after some hesitation from the protestors, the parties agreed to dialogue.
At the end of the talks yesterday, the protesters finally backed down on their strong stance against the new MCE, paving way for peace.
A government mediation team led by Bryan Acheampong, a Minister of State in charge of National Security at the Presidency, resolved the political deadlock in the area.
They signed a peace accord with the MCE and resolved to support her to deliver on her mandate.
A statement read by the spokesperson, Abubakari Sadiq Sulemana, said “The Savelugu/Nantong Municipality has been in the news in the last one month during which we protested the nomination and confirmation of Hajia Ayishetu Seidu as the Municipal Chief Executive of the Savelugu/Nantong Municipality. Our challenge with Hajia’s nomination was that we were worried she wasn’t well known to the elders and executives of the party. This was because we believed it was somebody from amongst us who we knew could best implement the President’s vision in Savelugu/Nantong.”
“In recent days however, we have had an opportunity to engage Hajia Ayishetu Seidu wholly, and we are now convinced that she has what it takes to implement the President’s vision for the full benefit of the people of Savelugu/Nantong.”
The Savelugu Constituency NPP Communications Director, Abubakari Sadiq Sulemana, also gave assurance of their full cooperation with Hajia Ayishetu Seidu.
“As stakeholders in the Municipality, we will harmoniously work with Hajia Ayishetu Seidu as the MCE for Savelugu/Nantong to ensure that the vision of the President and the programme of government is implemented for the benefit of the people of Savelugu/Nantong.
“At this moment, we apologise to the President for the demonstrations for several weeks, though we believed our message was important. We now concede our approach was wrong,” he said.
For his part, the lead mediator, Mr. Acheampong, commended the parties for their commitment to a peaceful resolution of the dispute and called for continued peaceful co-existence in the area.
He implored the youth to remain law abiding, and also tasked the MCE to liaise with all the key stakeholders in the municipality and deliver good governance.
An elated Hajia Ayishetu Seidu, said, “For me, it is a day that I have been dreaming of. A day that I knew will come one day, but it was not going to be easy.”
She appreciated the role of the mediation team and promised to galvanise the people for productive purposes.
She also vowed to engage the Members of Parliament for Savelugu/Nantong regularly, and all the major stakeholders to move the municipality forward in the right direction. “With the support and efforts of the two MPs, we will bring everybody on board and see to it that we move the municipality to another level,” she said.
Abdul Samed Gunu, Savelugu MP described the resolution as an appropriate relief.
He noted that the mediation process was a difficult task, but commended his constituents for smoking the peace pipe with the MCE.
“The latest development is a plus for all of us. This was just an internal wrangling, and the chapter of Savelugu not having peace has finally come to an end.”
By Samuel Mingle/adrdaily.com
