By King Amoah.
The long-standing conflict in Bawku, Upper East Region, continues to plague the area, hindering unity, peace, and stability.
In a bid to find a lasting solution, Alhaji Abubakari Awufour, the Paramount Chief of the Wenchiki Traditional Area in the Chiriponi District of the North East Region, has called on the government to engage prominent Ghanaian chiefs to mediate the dispute.
Speaking to the correspondent in an exclusive interview, Alhaji Awufour suggested the involvement of President John Dramani Mahama alongside influential figures such as the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Paramount Chief of Yendi Yaa Na, and the Paramount Chief of Dagomba Yanbowura.
He believes that a collective effort involving these respected leaders, in conjunction with President Mahama, could facilitate amicable settlements between the warring factions in Bawku.
While acknowledging the earlier intervention of Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and President Mahama, Alhaji Awufour emphasized the need for further engagement, this time with the added weight of other powerful paramount chiefs.
He expressed his conviction that their combined influence could be instrumental in reaching a peaceful resolution.
Beyond mediation, the Paramount Chief stressed the importance of heightened security measures. He urged the government to deploy security agencies to patrol not only the borders but also the internal areas where the conflict frequently erupts, ensuring the maintenance of peace and order.
Furthermore, he advocated for the declaration of “operation arms retrieval” in Bawku, with strict enforcement to bring lawbreakers to justice and deter future violence.
Alhaji Awufour expressed his disappointment at the persistent conflict, attributing it to a chieftaincy dispute exacerbated by lawlessness, resulting in the tragic loss of innocent lives and the disruption of economic and business activities.
He lamented that the conflict has halted business and farming entirely as the people of Bawku now travel to the North East to purchase food to feed their families.
Addressing allegations of security personnel extorting from and brutalizing residents, the Paramount Chief refuted these claims, asserting that such accusations often stem from individuals who defy the law.
He commended the security forces for their efforts in maintaining order, suggesting that the situation could be far worse without their presence.
Highlighting the broader impact of the Bawku conflict, Alhaji Awufour urged the government to take immediate action by organizing the chiefs for a peace settlement. He emphasized that the ongoing crisis affects not only the conflict zone but also the entire country, particularly in terms of economic stability.
In his final appeal to the people of Bawku, the Wenchiki Paramount Chief implored them to prioritize peace, unity, and stability, urging them to see themselves as one people. He also called upon them to expose any politicians who might attempt to exploit the situation for their own personal gain.
He urged them to allow peace, unity, and stability to prevail in the area and also be prepared to expose any politicians who may come into their midst for a mischievous agenda.
