State of emergency extended in northern area

The Ghanaian parliament has extended a state of emergency in northern Ghana's Dagbon traditional area by four weeks. The measure was first imposed on 27 March 2002 following the killing of the local ruler, Ya-Na Yakubu Andani, and about 40 others in a chieftaincy dispute. Defence - and Acting Interior - Minister Addo-Kufuor, who called for the extension, told parliament there was still tension in the area and a great amount of mistrust between rival clans. He also said arms were being stored outside conflict areas, an indication that there could be more clashes. Opposition parliamentarians supported the extension of the state of emergency but called on the government to make a greater effort to resolve the conflict. They said the killers of Yakubu Andani should be tried as soon as possible.