President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has voiced his concern regarding the persistent conflict in Bawku, emphasizing that the government’s allocation of resources towards ensuring security in the area could be better utilized for developmental purposes.
During the president’s last State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Akufo-Addo expressed worry over the tribal conflict in Bawku, noting that the allocation of funds and energy towards maintaining peace and security in the area detracts from addressing critical development needs.
“Mr. Speaker, I must make special mention of the troubles in Bawku. The tragedy is not only that a thriving and dynamic town is being reduced to a wasteland of destruction and distrust, we are spending money and energy that would have been better spent on development needs of Bawku, providing security to keep brothers and sisters from killing each other.”
Bawku, a former business hub of the Upper East Region for decades, has not known peace, with many lives lost and properties destroyed. The bone of contention between the Kusasis and the Mamprusis has been the rightful owners of Bawku.
Addressing the country at parliament house as mandated by Article 67 of the 1992 constitution on the overview of the country’s state of affairs, president Akufo-Addo expressed deep worry that “Bawku is an alluring magnet to mischief makers and extremists operating a few kilometres across from the border.”
“In the bid to find a lasting solution to the conflict, government has, in the past year, undertaken a number of measures, including the establishment of a special Bawku Taskforce, and the intensification of engagements with the factions for the resolution of the chieftaincy dispute,” he added.
“On the recommendation of the Upper East Regional and National Security Councils, four (4) radio stations, that have been broadcasting incendiary language and propagating hate speech, have been shut down by the National Communications Authority. The Chief Justice has also recently established specialised Courts in Accra and in Kumasi to deal expeditiously with criminal matters emanating from the Bawku conflict.”
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Joshua Asaa|Ghana
