Opinion leaders to work for peace(D/G, Monday, March 9, 2009 Page 45)

Opinion leaders from the feuding ethnic groups in the Bawku conflict have given the assurance to work in concert to restore peace to the municipality.They gave the assurance during peace mediation mission Vice President John Dramani Mahama undertook to conflict-torn Bawku.Representatives of the two main feuding ethnic groups, the Kusasis and Mamprusis, as well as other minority groups, including Moshies, Busangas, Hausas, Frafras and Dagombas, participated in the mediation talks, which were held at Bolgatanga last Friday.Both the Kusasis and Mamprusis presented five representatives each for the meeting, while the minority groups sent two each.The Vice-President brokered the peace and mediation talks, which were held in camera, as part of efforts to reconcile the people after the recent conflict in the area.Some opinion leaders from all sides who spoke to the Daily Graphic after the meeting lauded the frankness and openness which characterised the talks and gave a promise to go back to educate their people on the need to maintain the peace in the area.They expressed concern about the conflict in Bawku and the bad image it had created, not only for the once vibrant trading town, but also the entire region, and resolved that this should be the last time such upheavals would be heard of in the municipality.They stressed the need for regular dialogue and interaction among all the factions to deal with the deep-rooted animosity that existed among the people.Prior to the closed-door session, Vice-President Mahama said the government was very much concerned about the situation in Bawku and was determined to ensure that it employed all necessary means, including creating a platform for serious dialogue, to bring lasting peace to the area.The Vice-President said the culture of impunity, which had crept into the conflict area, must cease and that firm action would be taken against anyone who flouted the law.The Minister of the Interior, Mr Cletus Avoka, said the people of Bawku had co-existed for many years and said there was no need for them to fight each other.He urged them to embrace dialogue as a means to solving their differences.Present were the Regional Minister, Mr Mark Woyongo, Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Mahama Ayariga and Members of the Upper East Regional Security Council.