Conflicts In Parts Of Ghana Are Politically Motivated - Minister

The Northern regional minister, Moses Magbengba has told XYZ News that he suspects most of the violence; especially those in the Northern part of the country are politically motivated. Addressing the press on the development, Mr. Magbengba said he will meet the District, Municipal and Metropolitan Chief Executives in the region very soon to plan towards averting recurrent clashes. �We have had relative calm in this region except for some isolated incidence of conflicts. If you look at the year 2012 the frequency of conflicts all over the place is pointing towards a certain direction. �That is why I am saying that towards an election year people think they can misbehave and get away with it. It is a trend we are studying and when we establish the fact that they are politically motivated then we will take appropriate sanctions�. Meanwhile, the National Peace Council says it�s too early to start sounding the alarm bells about possible clashes in the upcoming December elections as a result of the current patches of violence across the country. Scores of people have been killed in ethnic clashes in the North, Central and Volta regions in the past few weeks. Civil society groups fear the clashes may be harbingers of what could transpire in the elections. But a member of the Peace Council Reverend Amoo Darko speaking to XYZ News said such conclusions are premature. �Let�s not relate all of these unfortunate events to the elections. These are isolated cases that are happening. They are not politically motivated so let�s not bring in the politics but indeed it is worrisome� Rev. Amo Darko said. The Peace Council has also indicated that it is sending its research officers to the various trouble spots to investigate the clashes. Reverend Amoo Darko added that the investigations are necessary in order not to duplicate interventions to restore peace.