MPs from Bawku broker peace

Kumasi, March 25, GNA - The four Members of Parliament from Bawku on Friday brokered a peace accord between citizens from Bawku resident in Kumasi and the zongo community over the recent violence that erupted between Bawku traders and a group of youth at Alabar. One person from the zongo community died while a number of stores belonging to Bawku traders were attacked and motorbikes and bicycles set on fire.

The MPs Mr John Ndebugri, Zebila, Mr Mahama Ayeriga, Bawku Central, Mr Mark Anthony, Binduri and Mr Simon Akunye, Pusiga, held discussions with the Ashanti Regional Minister, the Regional Police Commander, Sariki Zongo and the Kusasi chief in Kumasi. Addressing the Bawku community at Asawase Mr Ayeriga described the incident as sad and unfortunate considering its causes and urged the youth of Bawku resident in Kumasi to learn to be tolerant. He said some of the bad things the youth from Bawku had done had given them a bad name and that it was very hard to craft a good name for oneself but easy to get a bad name.

Mr Ayeriga appealed to the police to release the items they seized from the traders in the heat of the violence since their continued seizure had locked up the capital of the traders. Mr Ndebugri told the youth to recognise that they were in Kumasi for a purpose and if they spend their time sorting out problems, they will not achieve their objectives.

He advised them to avoid getting into trouble by living like people from the same area and also called on the leadership of the Zongo to ensure that all communities in the Zongo are well organised to ensure peaceful co-existence.

Mr Mark Anthony asked to improve upon their businesses and obey the laws of the land to ensure peace.

Chief Ndago Azumah, chief of the Kusasi community in Ashanti Region, called for unity among the various ethnic groups from Bawku and to live peacefully with their neighbours.