Political Parties tasked to protect prevailing peace in Bawku ahead of elections

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga The Paramount Chief for the Bawku Traditional Area in the Upper East Region, Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka has charged political parties and their followers within the jurisdiction not to do anything to disturb the delicate peaceful atmosphere currently existing in Bawku. He has also called on the various security agencies to ensure that no one is spared for any act that violate the prevailing peace in the area. Naba Azoka made the call on Wednesday during a durbar to climax this year’s Samanpiid festival of the chiefs and people of Kusaug at Bawku. The Samanpiid festival is an annual celebration of the Kusasis tribe not only to thanks the ancestors of the land for a successful farming season but also a period where inhabitants showcase their culture and also gather to map out the way forward in development. The Paramount Chief reminded the people of the turbulence period the people of Bawku have had to endure for the past years due to ethnic conflict and said the time has come for all to put the dark period behind and forge ahead in peace. “I believe we have come to the end of the dark tunnel. I wish to use this occasion to caution all my subjects and residents of Kusaug generally not to do anything to disturb the delicate peace now existing in Bawku” To all political parties, he said “the rules of the game have been clearly defined and we must all do well to abide by them”. He also encouraged the law-enforcement agencies to remain focused and steadfast in their task to ensure law and order in the traditional area during and after the polls. Naba Azoka said so far the handlers of security in Bawku have proved to be on top of their job and commended them for their swift movements to flashpoints in the area anytime there is a sound of gun-shot Touching on other developments over the period under review, Naba Azoka commended the government for subsidizing the prize of fertilizer wish has contributed to good yields and boosted food production in the area. He however bemoaned the few cases of smuggling of the products to neighboring countries but expressed the appreciation to the security agencies for their role in battling the activities of the smugglers. He also commended government for responding positively on a petition for the reconstruction of the Bawku –Bolgatanga highway adding that even though some work has started as pledged by the Upper East regional minister, work on the road will be fast-tracked to save travelers from the hardship they face. The Bawku Naba also renewed an appeal to the management of the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority, SADA, to include the proposed Tamne Irrigation dam Project in the planned construction of dams for irrigation purposes for the benefit of farmers from the area. The Municipal Chief Executive for Bawku, Mr. Musah Abdulai reiterated the call for peace stressing that for any growth and development to take place and sustained, the need for peace is paramount. He noted that as the country inch closer to election and taking cognizance of the peculiar situation of the area, it was incumbent on the people of Bawku to uphold their resolve to keep the peace of the area. He said to demonstrate the need for all live in peace, leaders of all political parties in the municipality have signed a memorandum of understanding pledging to eshew violence and to educate their followers to help sustain the mutual respect for other parties in the political contest and not to see their opponents as enemies. He therefore expressed the hope that all will abide it for peaceful elections. The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr. Mark Owen Woyongo said situations, in which people live in constant fear of being attacked scare investors away, cause stagnation of the local economy and lead to the loss of human resources are some of the worse experiences that takes place when conflicts occur. He therefore expressed the hope that the people in Bawku will continue to sustain the relative peace and even deepen it so that they can benefit also from the development that the present Government has been pursuing for the country. -End- Writer’s email: benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh