Find a solution to Bawku conflict - Accra Poly NSU

Accra, May 23, GNA - The Northern Students Union (NSU) of the Accra Polytechnic has called on the Paramount Chief of Bawku, the Bawku Naba and other traditional rulers in the area to find a lasting solution to the conflict in the area.

In a statement issued in Accra and signed by the President of the Union, Mr. Peter Mahama, the NSU of the Accra Polytechnic, noted that the continuation of the conflict could lead to the staff of health and educational institutions, government departments and Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) moving out of the area. It stated that in such a situation, it would take a long time for them to return to their posts, which would affect the development of the area.

The NSU said the crisis had brought about a lot of discomfort that was retarding the progress and violating the rights of innocent people who had been forced to live under curfew in the town. The Union appealed to the chiefs and opinion leaders to consider the plight of the youth and the level of poverty in the three regions in the northern part of the country and lay down their arms to bring peace to the area.

They reminded the people of Bawku not to forget that there had been inter-marriages, especially between the Mamprusis and Kusasis and that; "The continuation of the conflict means that we are killing our own nieces, nephews, bothers and sisters".

The statement said; "Unity and love does not mean anything if there is no respect for one another." It called on the chiefs, opinion leaders and the people of Bawku to reconsider their stand since, "We are one blood and the same image from one creator".

The NSU further urged the people of Bawku to consider the plight of the youth some of whom were outside struggling to better their fortunes and that of the area and stop the conflict. It asked if they would be happy to see the youth homeless or as strangers in other places never to return home.