World Vision engages people in Bawku in peace forum

World Vision engages people in Bawkuin peace forum. Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga World Vision Ghana (WV), has organized a peace forum in Bawku as part of its contribution to national peace building ahead of the December 7, 2012 polls. The foruminvolving religious and community leaders was to demonstrate the essence of peace and the need for all to sustain the prevailing peace before, during and after the elections. Also present were some selected Junior High Schoolsincluding personnel from the NCCE and the various security agencies among a cross section of the public.Bawku hasin the recent past witnessedinter-ethnic violenceinvolving the Mamprusis and Kusasis, the dominant tribesin the area. The town is alsoincludedin the list of flashpoint ahead for the polls. Mr. Thomas Abilla, spokespersons for the Paramount Chief of the Zug-ran Naba Asigri Abugrago Azokain a speech read on behalf of the chief, underscored the need for peace before, during and after the 2012 elections. He saidBawku, once an economic hubin the northern parts of the country, has traded that accolade due to the violent conflict and has since suffered the consequences as a result. He said though the area is currently enjoying relative peace, economic and social activities have dwindled as traders fear to engage thepeople in their trading activities. This, he noted, has affected the pace of development causing most residents to travel far and near to safeguard their lives and properties. On education, he said BECE results collated for the past two years clearly shows that the conflict has taken a toll on academic performance of students. Mr. Abilla said considering the relative peace being enjoyed by thepeople, development was picking up, emphasizing thatpeople are tired of the conflict and were committed to the current peace process. He therefore encouraged residents ofBawku to sustain the peace and cooperate with the security agencies as the country gears up for the upcoming December polls. He said with discipline and tolerance the area was poised to ensuring a peaceful electoral process devoid of violent behaviors. The youth, he observed are responsible for determining the future of the area. He moreover advised the youth to exercise high sense of decorum and firmnessin their decision and not allow themselves to be used as elements for violence. He expressed appreciation to the various religiousinstitutions for demonstrating true commitment to peacein Bawku, and urged others to emulate their shining examples. The Operations Based Team Manager ofWorld Vision, Madam Benedicta Pealore encouraged thepeople ofBawku to strive for peace to allow accelerated developmentin the area. She said though the upcoming election is characterized with tension, Ghanaians with one accord, can once again prove to theworld that the nation is capable of exercising a violent free election. There were peace messages from some pupils on behalf of the childrenin the area. Abdulai Wasila of Methodist JHS and Issahaku Hadi of Mother Theresa Educational centre who represented the youth stressed on the need for all stakeholders to embrace peacein the forthcoming elections. -End- Writer’s email: benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh