The chiefs of Adele, Akyode, and Challa in Nkwanta South, Oti region, have pledged to allow peace to prevail in the municipality after years of protracted conflict that has claimed many lives.
About 13 people have been killed in a recent conflict between the Adele, Challa, and Akyode ethnic groups, with several properties destroyed.
The three ethnic groups, which have intermarried, have been at loggerheads over chieftaincy disputes and the traditional celebration of the yam festival in the area.
In response, the Oti Regional Security Council (REGSEC) engaged all the feuding parties in the Nkwanta South conflict, and they signed a pledge for peace.
The chiefs further declared that, they would take necessary steps to prevail on all their subjects to commit to peace and desist from violence as a means of settling grudges and use legal means to settle their disputes.
They also declared their willingness to submit to all duly constituted bodies assigned to engage, mediate and bring about peace in the Nkwanta South municipality.
Speaking to Adom News after the meeting in Dambai, Oti Regional Minister, Joshua Makubu expressed confidence that, his engagement with the chiefs would bring lasting peace to Nkwanta.
He said the chiefs have pledged and signed to lay down their arms through a series of engagements with the youth at their various community levels.
Mr. Makubu also pledged to provide the chiefs with the necessary security protection if there is any need for them to travel to their communities to engage the youth.
Nana Amanfo Monfankye of the Adele community regretted the impact the conflict has had on the people.
He said aside from the lack of development that Nkwanta South municipality suffered in the past, many lives and properties have been lost in the 21st century when people are going to the moon, while they are taking weapons to kill themselves.
From Challa, Nana Kenewu Addo Cheddre also pledged his commitment to the roadmap for peace.
He said he would speak to the youth just as he has been speaking to them, to drop their arms and allow peace in the area.
On his part, Nana Obombo Sewura Lepuwura of Akyode, said the chieftaincy dispute is retarding development in the area and pledged to engage the youth of Akyode for peace to prevail.
He urged the feuding factions to seek for redress in court instead of conflict that would destroy the good name of Nkwanta South.