Towards Consolidating Peace in Bawku, Ghana

By: John Nkaw

Lyndon B. Johnson School (LBJ) of Public Affairs.

University of Texas at Austin. US

Email: Nkawman@yahoo.com

On February 3 2011, Joyfm published a documentary entitled the "Bawku Blood Vows" on its website which suggests that relative peace is returning to Bawku. Receiving this news was particularly heartwarming because the internecine Bawku conflict devastated the area and impoverished many people economically and socially. This documentary demonstrates the readiness of some chiefs, opinion leaders and people to build peace and prosperity. Let me congratulate the people of Bawku for embracing peace for some time now. The government and the West African Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) equally deserve commendation for their part in resourcing the Bawku Peace Council and championing Bawku’s peacebuilding efforts. Having drawn these lines, it is my view that durable peace also hinges on strengthening policy initiatives that create employment opportunities and advance quality education.

Bawku was formerly well known for its bustling commercial activities and agricultural productivity. In this regard, providing microfinance opportunities, constructing new dams and rehabilitating old ones as well as reshaping feeder roads will expansively create jobs for the youth. Indeed, feasibility studies suggest that the Tamde River located in the Garu/Tempane District holds great potential for agricultural productivity and can be explored. These capital investments will help redirect the youth’s energy towards securing gainful employment and systematically improve their socioeconomic wellbeing. As such, the people of Bawku and peace-brokers working towards achieving lasting peace need to continuously strengthen conversations that promote job creation for youth.

In addition, the Financial Institutions (FIs) can possibly increase their spread of microloan disbursement through more flexible terms to support agribusinesses and encourage business innovation in the Bawku area. Promoting income generation activities in this way will stimulate the local economy and help improve livelihood security. Achieving all these will enable the Municipality regain its accolade as a commercial hub of the Upper East Region.

Another major area of concern in Bawku is the declining quality of education. This situation deserves quick policy attention and improvement. Prior to the President Atta Mills administration, the Kufour-led government prioritized investing in basic social infrastructure through the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS) I and II. Recently, addressing the Brong Ahafo Students Union’s (BASU) Central Executive Committee meeting at the University for Development studies Tamale, Hon Nyamekye Marfo, the B/A Regional Minister, indicated that "education was the major priority of the government and within two years in power the NDC had initiated a number of interventions and budgetary support to improve the educational sector" (reported on Citifmonline, February 6, 2011), but it is common knowledge that the internecine conflict has seriously affected the positive effects of such interventions in Bawku.

With relative peace restored in Bawku, corporate Ghana, government and its development partners need to direct efforts towards motivating teachers to accept postings to the area. Considering the dangers teachers faced some time ago, allocating more teachers to Bawku and increasing their risk allowances as well as cutting back the number of years serve before qualifying for further studies can potentially serve as incentives and attract trained teachers to the area. In addition, chiefs and opinion leaders should be obligated to safeguard the safety of teachers posted to their communities.

Government alone may be incapable of providing the needed infrastructure for development. This leaves much room for the wealthy, corporate entities/individuals and development partners to intervene. It is refreshing to know that the United Nations is about to introduce economic programs in the Bawku area. The African Development Bank and World Bank can possibly consider increasing their development financing for the provision of educational and health care infrastructure in Bawku.

It is important that the people of Bawku continuously understand that peace is not a quality that one wishes to have. Rather, it is borne out of one's deliberate desire to have it and to share with others. In short it is a two-way affair. As such, Let Kusasis and Mamprusis sit together as one people with a common destiny to discuss their differences and aim at fighting poverty through quality education and job creation. To achieve this, the Bawku Peace Council’s consultations and dialogue series needs encouragement. Strengthening Kusasi-Mamprusi youth dialogues can ease potential tensions. This requires government’s financial support and that of international institutions including the World Bank. Inaddition, the national Union of Bawku Students should be revamped and strengthened. With the support of former members, the union can serve as a rallying platform for mentoring youth leaders and building consensus.

In conclusion, it is well known that war is not the solution for addressing misunderstandings or disagreements. At best it is a kind of ‘mowing machine’ that mows the unguarded grass (vulnerable members of the society) and cannot be used as an instrument for settling dispute. Kusasis and Mamprusis need to be guided by the realization that their destinies are tied up to make the larger picture complete. The hackneyed maxim puts it so well by acknowledging that ''NO MAN IS AN ISLAND'' and this means much!