Mr. James Zuugah Tiigah, Upper East Regional Minister
The Reconstituted Bawku Inter Ethnic Peace Committee has started a three-day workshop in Bolgatanga to reorient members and build their capacities for the implementation of strategies to bring peace to Bawku.
At the workshop were representatives of the two ethnic groups including Dr Sam Bugri, and Mr Thomas Abilla, members of the Regional Peace Council and the district chief executives of the five districts in the Bawku Area.
Mr James Zuugah Tiigah, the Upper East Regional Minister, addressing the opening session of the programme, said peace was a panacea to national development and, therefore, the workshop served as an avenue for members to share knowledge and advance the course of the Council.
He urged members to see the development of Bawku as their personal responsibility and hold their discussions devoid of personal interests to ensure that peace prevailed.
He commended the United Nations Development Programme for supporting the Council and the Committee to spearhead peace activities in the region.
The three days training, which started on Thursday, would endeavour to come out with terms of reference for the committee, and upgrade the negotiation and dialogue skills of members to bring long lasting peace to the people of Bawku and its environs.
Naba Sigri Bewong, the Chief of Sekouti Traditional Area and Chairman of the Committee, called for co-operation and unity among members for effective work.
Mr Isahaku Bukari, the Bawku Municipal Chief Executive, said Bawku was blessed this year to have reported no conflicts as compared to previous years when farmers had to abandon their farms for fear of their lives.
Being a development specialist, he said he would find financial support from development partners to assist the people and urged the members to gather the views of the people to enhance the committee’s work.
Mr Shaibu Abubakar, a committee member, who spoke on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the National Peace Council, Reverend Professor Emmanuel Asante, expressed gratitude for the reconstitution of the committee and said Bawku could regain its past glory if all hands were put on deck to promote the needed peace.
He urged members to endeavour to work hard to bring change to the area.
