Madam Jean-Marie Formadi, the Member of Parliament (MP) of Biakoye Constituency, has attributed the prevailing peace between the communities of Nkonya and Alavanyo to the collaborative efforts of government, traditional authorities, and community members.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Madam Formadi expressed optimism that the peace currently prevailing between the two communities would be sustained to allow them to focus on development.
She noted that the long-standing tensions between the communities had in the past overshadowed their identities and development prospects.
“When you Google Nkonya, Alavanyo, what comes next is conflict. Similarly, when you Google Alavanyo, Nkonya, what comes next is conflict,” she added.
Madam Formadi stressed the need for sustained stakeholder engagement to ensure that such conflicts did not reoccur.
She emphasised that any future disturbances would be attributed to criminal elements attempting to take advantage of the situation.
The MP said both communities had committed themselves to peaceful coexistence and had advised the youth not to allow themselves to be used by mischievous individuals to create tension.
She warned that the communities would not tolerate any attempt to disturb the peace and that perpetrators would face the full rigours of the law.
Madam Formadi highlighted the strong social ties between the two communities, noting that intermarriages and shared cultural practices had over the years fostered family relations between them.
“Chiefs and elders from Alavanyo have married in Nkonya and vice versa, making the two communities one family,” she stressed.
The MP said such ties must be strengthened and leveraged to promote unity, cooperation, and sustainable peace.
The lawmaker pledged to continue engaging traditional leaders, the youth, and other stakeholders to consolidate the peace in the area.
According to her, the collaboration between herself and Mr Thomas Worlanyo Tsekpo, the Member of Parliament (MP) of Hohoe constituency, was aimed at preventing future conflicts and promoting development within the communities.
Madam Formadi urged stakeholders to support ongoing peace-building initiatives, stressing that meaningful development could only thrive in a peaceful environment.
The Nkonya-Alavanyo conflict has for decades been a major concern in the area, but recent stakeholder interventions have led to a significant reduction in tensions.
Residents of both communities are now focusing on strengthening unity, promoting peace, and pursuing development initiatives.
Madam Formadi expressed confidence that with continued dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders, the communities could overcome their differences and build a more prosperous future.
