Youth Network to promote peace in Bawku

Koforidua, Oct. 5, GNA - Global Youth Network Foundation, a Non-Government Organization (NGO), has stressed its commitment to do everything possible to bring the Mamprusis back to the negotiating table to participate in peace initiatives that would help bring lasting peace to Bawku.

It, however, indicated that this objective could to achieved only if the state agencies in charge of maintaining law and order in Bawku remained neutral in the discharge of their duties. This was contained in a statement issued in Koforidua on Wednesday and jointly signed by Mr Jawol Bisunna Titus and Mr Jeremiah Salifu, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Executive Secretary of the Foundation respectively.

The statement noted with concern that the Bawku issue had lingered on for a long time without achieving any concrete result. It said the situation was worsening as the Mamprusi side had announced a boycott of all peace initiatives for the reason that they had been treated unfairly, and citing the ban on the celebration of their 91Damba' festiv= al by the authorities as a case in point.

The statement impressed upon Government, the law courts and the security agencies, the need to be circumspect and objective in handling issues so as to create the chance for peace to prevail in Bawku. It urged all sides involved in the Bawku dispute to return to the negotiation table to resume peace talks so that through dialogue they could resolve any outstanding issues. It also appealed to the Mamprusis and Kusasis to attend the upcoming National Youth Stakeholders peace conference scheduled to take place from October 30 to November 2, at the All Nations University in Koforidua during which their previous submissions would be looked at collectively before being forwarded to the appropriate quarters for redress. "It is time the people of the North reason up and not allow politicians and some unscrupulous people who will want to use the crisis in the North to advance their parochial interests to succeed", the statement said. It further called for co-operation from all well-meaning individuals and groups to help maintain the peace that prevailed in Ghana, especially a= s the country approached another electioneering period.