The Tano South Municipal Security Council, has ordered the temporary closure of the Bechem Central Mosque in the Tano South District of the Ahafo Region.
The closure follows a security threat arising from a land dispute between some Northern tribes in the Islamic Community in the Tano South District Capital.
The Bono Regional Peace Council says it has started a process to restore peace between the feuding parties.
According to the Tano South Municipal Security Council, MUSEC, a review of the Security situation necessitated the closure of the Bechem Central Mosque.
Moslems have consequently been informed that there will be no prayers at the Bechem Central Mosque until further notice.
In a statement signed by the DCE and Chairman of MUSEC, Collins Takyi, the Council apologized to Moslems for the inconvenience caused and urged them to bear with it in the interest of peace.
The Bono Regional Secretary of the Peace Council, Suallah Abdullah Quandah, in an interview with GBC’s Radio Ghana, said the Peace Council is facilitating dialogue between the feuding parties in pursuit of an amicable settlement to the conflict.
He called on all Stakeholders to cooperate to ensure a successful peace restoration process.
GBC’s Radio Ghana learnt that as part of its Conflict Early Warning System, the Regional Peace Council alerted the Tano North Municipal Assembly of the looming conflict in the capital.
According to the Peace Council, several allegations were leveled against the late Bechem Chief Imam, Alhaji Gariba Ibrahim, and based on that, the Council of Northern Tribal Chiefs suspended the Imam, describing him as unfit to lead them in prayers.
Plans to prevent him from leading prayers were expected to be resisted by his followers, which could lead to violence.
This prompted the Regional Peace Council to alert the Municipal Assembly amidst calls for heightened security in and around the Central Mosque.
At the centre of the dispute is alleged attempts by the Chief Imam, to aid a faction of the tribes in their bid to claim ownership of a piece of land regarded as the property of the entire Islamic Community.
