The Upper East Regional Minister, Stephen Yakubu, has said the government is not failing in its quest to restore lasting peace in Bawku. The minister’s comment comes after pockets of violence erupted in the one-time business hub of the Upper East Region as a result of tribal and chieftaincy disputes between Kusasis and Mamprusis. The recent disturbances in the area led to the killing of 10 people.
The protracted violence, according to many people, is an indication that the government is failing to restore peace among the intermarrying communities in Bawku. But the Upper East Regional Minister disagrees. Mr. Yakubu said the government has made some significant progress to restore lasting peace in the area.
“No. I will not say we are failing because we are making progress. In fact, days ago, Bawku was calm, things were going on, it had been bad before, and things were getting better. Those people who know Bawku, they will know that we are making progress”, he said.
Mr. Yakubu who admitted that it may be taking a long time to solve the dispute because “it is a hundred-year problem”, expressed optimism that the government is negotiating and facilitating the peace processes.
That is made possible, according to Mr. Yakubu is devoid of politics since the government doesn’t meddle with chieftaincy issues. The minister who was speaking to the media in Bolgatanga bemoaned that the protracted conflict in Bawku is creating a difficult time for him as minister for the Upper East Region.
He said the raging conflict in Bawku is gradually turning the bustling town into a ghost town.
“The town has really been affected. Schools, commence, health, the town is virtually on its knees. And if you look at the towns in the Upper East Region, Bawku, historically has been the vibrant place in the whole of the Upper East Region in terms of commencement, and everything. But as we speak now, Bawku is on its knees”, he lamented.
Stephen Yakubu appealed to the people of Bawku to give peace a chance in the area. He also appealed for support from the international community to ensure lasting peace returns in Bawku.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Joshua Asaah|Ghana
