Members of Parliament within the Eastern part of the Upper East Region are on a fact-finding mission in Bawku following recent disturbances in the area that have led to the loss of lives and property.
Over 14 people have lost their lives and several others including three military personnel injured.
The mission of the six MPs among others is to ascertain the extent of damage caused by the disturbances and deliberate on measures to bring lasting peace to the area.
Leader of the delegation and Member of Parliament for Zebilla, Cletus Avoka said “we don’t blame the army. We don’t blame anybody. We want to come and find out what triggered the attacks.”
He stressed that their priority was peace in the area.
“If there is no peace, there can be no development and as Members of Parliament, we are committed to the peace of the area.”
The Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga also explained that the Bawku Chieftancy dispute had been settled by the Supreme Court and thus there was no need fighting over the issue.
“There is absolutely nothing to fight about. There is nothing that Mamprusis should fight about, and there is nothing that Kusasis should fight about.”
He further admonished owners and operators of Bawku FM and Source FM to desist from using their platforms to fuel the fragile peace in Bawku.
He further proposed that the government should sanction media houses fuelling the conflict in Bawku to serve as deterrence.
“You cannot sit on an FM station and insult the leader of one ethnic group and expect them not to respond,” Mr. Ayariga said.
Recent tensions in the area have led to multiple arrests following some acts of violence.
The tensions can be traced to December 27, 2021, when there was gunfire in parts of the town after attempts to perform the final funeral rites of a Chief who died about 41 years ago.
The violence resulted in a curfew being placed on the entire township, a ban on smock-wearing, and a ban on the use of motorbikes.
The government has said it is engaging the National Peace Council to find a lasting solution to the disturbances that have characterized Bawku in the past few months.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo had urged the feuding factions in the Bawku chieftaincy dispute to ceasefire and dialogue.
