Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has pledged to prioritize efforts toward resolving the protracted Bawku conflict if granted another term in office.
The Bawku conflict, characterized by ethno-political rivalries between the Kusasis and Mamprusis, has persisted for decades, claiming numerous lives and stifling socio-economic progress in the region.
It is against this backdrop that former President John Mahama, while addressing members of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs, emphasized the pressing need for proactive measures aimed at fostering dialogue, promoting understanding, and fostering sustainable peace initiatives.
“Just recently, I was reading they have put a ban on riding motorcycles again in the evening. Generally, it is a period of insecurity for people living in that area. In the night, buses are fired upon, and people are killed. These are things that we are going to make a priority when we come. We have done it before [and] we will do it again. We will work hard to resolve the Bawku crisis and bring peace back to Bawku and its surrounding areas.”
Citing the relative peace the people of Bawku enjoyed during his tenure as president, Mr. Mahama expressed confidence in his ability to galvanize support from diverse stakeholders and marshal the Bawku conflict toward a sustainable resolution.
“At the time we were in office, we had virtually calmed things. Bawku was a striving community, and people were going about their business without the fear of being harmed. Unfortunately, now, you cannot roam freely in Bawku.
The flagbearer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is in the Upper East Region to spend two days as part of his “Building Ghana” tour.
The NDC flagbearer, who was responding to concerns by members of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs about insecurity in the Upper East Region, particularly Bawku, expressed worry also about the spate of armed robbery in the region, which he says is affecting the region’s economic progress.
President of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs and Paramount Chief of the Chiana Traditional Area, Pe Ditundini Adiali Ayagitam III, lamented that the Bawku conflict is spreading across the country, and members of the House would welcome any suggestions and support in bringing lasting peace to the area.
“Ghanaians need peace to go about their normal duties. The Kuasaug Traditional Council needs peace in Bawku to restore the area back to its former status, and it is important that a lot of work needs to be done while in opposition. The regional capital and its suburbs have recently witnessed target killings. We need peace and a permanent solution to prevent this mess from spreading to the entire region. We know the burden rests on the sincerity and honesty of the politicians on both sides of the divide. We, the Upper East region, are prepared to extend a warm hand of cooperation to whoever is interested in bringing peace in Bawku and the Kusaug Traditional Area as a whole.”
