Interior Minister appeals to factions in Bawku conflict

Mr Mark Woyongo, Minister of the Interior, has appealed to the two ethnic groups in Bawku, the Kusasis and the Mamprusis to work assiduously towards smoking the peace pipe.

This, he stressed, was the only way they could help make a difference in the development of the area that had suffered due to the recurrent conflicts.

In that regard, the Minister appealed to the Mamprusis, who had withdrawn from the Bawku Ethnic Peace Committee to return to it to pave the way for lasting peace in the area.

He said during his tenure of office, he initiated the institution of the Committee, which worked tirelessly and nearly found peace, but the Mamprusis withdrew from the Committee.

The Minister pleaded with the Mamprusis to endeavour to return to the Peace Committee to help complete the process, and appealed to the members of the committee to respect each other’s views.

The Minister appealed to the Bawku Naba, Asigri Abugrago Azoka II and the Regent o f the Mamprusis, Alhaji Ibrahim Adam Zangbeogo, to help government to restore lasting peace in the area.

Responding, the Bawku Naba gave the assurance that he would work with his subjects towards restoring peace in the area and blamed the media for inflaming passions in their reportage.

The Regent of the Mamprusis blamed their withdrawal on mistrust, stressing that, “they withdrew from the committee due to mistrust."

He explained that, it was agreed at the Committee level that any ethnic group could celebrate its festival without hindrance or prohibition but when they wrote a letter to the National Security to seek permission to celebrate their Damba festival, it was turned down.

He said getting back to the Committee would depend on the approval to celebrate their annual Damba festival.

The Minister, accompanied by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Alhassan and heads of other security agencies were on a working visit to the Upper East Region.