The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has expressed concern over the conflict situation at Bawku, urging the two factions –Mamprusis and Kusasis — to smoke peace pipe since the killings cannot avert the melee in the area.
He has asked them to solicit for sustainable development which is built on peace and harmony.
The Vice President has expressed worry over the development in the area which has cost many lives, destroyed properties and hampered development over the years.
“As a son of the North, I am very pained by the conflict that we have in Bawku between Kusasis and Mamprusis over Chieftaincy. This conflict has led to needless loss of lives and disrupted economic activity and development in Bawku. It is really sad. Fundamentally, we are really one people. We have inter-married over the years and our languages are very similar,” he said whilst addressing the Bawkunaba, Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, and his elders during a visit to the town Tuesday, December 12, 2023.
Dr. Bawumia bemoaned how the conflict has wreaked so much havoc on the community and urged the factions to cease the killing of each other and rather use due process, as provided by the Constitution, to peacefully resolve the chieftaincy dispute between them.
“Your Majesty, let me be clear that the constitution of the Republic of Ghana has set out very clear guidelines for the resolution of chieftaincy disputes. This is through the House of Chiefs and ultimately the Supreme Court,” he urged.
“Fighting and killing each other can never resolve it. And I should also state that under the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, no government can impose or use force to settle a Chieftaincy dispute,” Dr. Bawumia added.
The Vice President, was, however, hopeful that peace will prevail with a conceited effort, a cause he is willing to champion should he take over the mantle as President of the Republic.
“I believe with every bone in my body that, it is possible to have peace and harmony between Kusasis and Mamprusis in Bawku and I will work towards that. We have to work towards that. It is possible,” he stated.
Dr. Bawumia stressed that both the community and the youth are in urgent need of development, and the fight, he said, should be to fight for development, not fight against each other.
“The problem our people face is poverty and underdevelopment. As president, in shaa Allah, I will contribute immensely to uplifting our people from poverty and underdevelopment,” he assured.
“We cannot, however, be successful in our quest to eradicate poverty and bring development to our people in an atmosphere of conflict. We need peace for development. Our youth need jobs, we need education, we need healthcare, we need roads. We should be fighting for the interest of our youth and not fight with each other,” Dr. Bawumia said.
The Bawkunaba commended Dr. Bawumia for the visit, saying it demonstrates that he is truly a unifier.
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