The Birifor Youth Association (BYA) wants the state security machinery to swiftly intervene to prevent hostilities and inhumane treatment of the Birifor indigenes by the Chief, Kongwura Jinkurige I.
The Youth Association in a press conference said their human rights are being trampled upon and they are losing their properties almost every day.
According to the Association, what is happening at the Kong Traditional area in the Sawla-Tuna Kalba District of the Savannah Region is a recipe for disruption of the peace and security of the area.
They said the Kongwura Jinkurige I, has systematically subjected the Birifor indigenes in the traditional area to inhumane treatment, including exploitation, extortion and physical attacks.
The Association alleged that the Kongwura has been treating the Birifor people as if they are second-rated human beings and must be called to order by the state security agencies.
They added that the Kongwura tried to curtail the rights and freedom of the Birifor people by restricting their rights to self-development, arbitrary taxation and extortion and when they are unable to meet these demands it ends up in physical attacks.
Tension heightened when the Kongwura imposed a levy of an amount of GHC1,000 to GHC2,000 on the Birifor households for work on the traditional area`s constitution.
The BYA said it realised that if steps are not taken to stop the imposition of the levy, it will destabilize the community. They therefore immediately took steps to write a petition to the District Chief Executive.
Upon Kongwura hearing that they have petitioned the DCE, he called for a meeting for the parties to address the matter, “he rather ended up locking up the BYA executives without provocation simply because the association has petitioned the District Security Committee. The police intervened for the assaulted victims to be released while some of them were sent to the hospital for treatment.
While admitted at the hospital receiving medical attention, the leaders were faced with further destruction of burning of their drinking spots and pickup trucks. Our properties have been burnt to ashes.
The Birifor indigenes said the marginalization has persisted for too long and it is imposing a high risk of provoking open communal hostilities.
The National Secretary of the Birifor Youth Association, Alex Nako Wereh, said they are peace-loving people and called for urgent intervention by the state security.
“We do not want the issue to escalate into any tribal war in the region” he said.
The President of the Association, Neormah Nyoon Brew, said the district is not safe as the Birifor indigenes continue to live in fear.
She said they have written petitioned the National Peace Council-Savannah Region, National Investigations Bureau-Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District but to no avail and want the national security apparatus to investigate the matter.
When the 3news contacted the Kongwura Jinkurige I on the matter, he admitted that he imposed such levies and taxes on the Birifor indigenes by way of royalties as they are occupying his land. He also admitted that he locked up the people to keep them safe.
The Member of Parliament for Sawla-Tuna-Kalba Constituency, Andrew Dari Chiwittey and the District Chief Executive of the area, said they are aware of the issues the Birifor Youth Association have tabled and the District Security Committee (DISEC) has had a series of meetings on the matter.
Meanwhile, Kongwura has promised that he will commit to maintaining peace in the area.
The victims the beating are being discharged from the hospital. They have officially written statements on the matter for investigation to commence.
Kingsley Adusei Amakye Onua TV/3news
