The Most Rev Emmanuel Asante, Chairman of the National Peace Council, (NPC) on Tuesday said offices of the NPC were in a house owned by Ghana National Petroleum Commission (GNPC) which has issued eviction notice to the Council.
Most Rev Asante spoke about the poor budgetary and accommodation state of the Council and said “the GNPC keep reminding us that we don’t belong here” and added that the staff of the Council are currently working in a temporary office.
He said this when the Minister of the Interior paid a visit to the office of the NPC to end his tour of the eleven agencies under the Ministry.
Most Rev Dr Asante said there had been internal conflicts in the country which necessitated the drawing of a conflict map and these conflicts revolved around chieftaincy, politics and natural resources.
He said the task of the NPC was not to be underrated and appealed to the government to do all it could to assist the Council with logistics to enable the staff to work effectively to ensure peace in the country.
Most Rev Dr Asante said the Council was set up by an Act of Parliament, is decentralized and had inaugurated peace councils in all regions except in Accra.
“It was very difficult for the Council to work without funds, accommodation, transportation though it has competent staff,” he said and appealed to the government for offices.
Mr Mark Woyongo, Minister for Interior, said the government would support the NPC to continue its work and expressed the hope that the National Peace Fund would be launched without delay.
He said it was the objective of government to provide resources for the Council enable it work, adding that despite the problems and challenges the Council had made Ghana an oasis of peace.
He said businesses must also assist the Peace Council to enable it discharge its duties.