The Catholic Bishop of the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocese, Most Reverend Alfred Agyenta, has called on politicians to be candid with Ghanaians if they lack a workable solution to the protracted Bawku conflict. According to the Bishop, transparency and sincerity are crucial in restoring peace to the area, which has long been marred by ethnic tensions and violent clashes.
Bishop Agyenta made the call when the Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Akamugri Atanga, paid a courtesy call on him as part of his familiarization tour of the region.
Reiterating the Church’s commitment to peacebuilding, Bishop Agyenta stated that the Catholic Church was ready to play a leading role in restoring peace to Bawku, but would need the full support and honest collaboration of political leaders.
“If you really think that the solution is not by politics — that the politicians have no solution — then they should make it very clear and see how best we can work together,” the Bishop stated. “Otherwise, we are not going to go anywhere if people are only looking at how to gain support for the next elections.”
He emphasized that the Church’s mission is not to compete with the government, but to support the development and transformation of communities by instilling values of faith, peace, and social responsibility.
“We are doing our work in terms of trying to see how the human being can be helped — first of all, to fear God, and in fearing God, to transform his environment,” he explained.
Bishop Agyenta added that trust in religious institutions remains high among the people, and as such, the Church can play a unique and credible role in mediating the conflict and building long-lasting peace in the region. However, he stressed that this will only be effective if political actors are sincere and willing to collaborate.
“For the final analysis, when the region is at peace, the government is also at peace, and we will all be able to benefit from that peace,” he added.
The Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Akamugri Atanga, welcomed the Church’s willingness to support peace efforts and assured the Bishop of his openness to working with all stakeholders, including religious and traditional leaders, to restore calm in Bawku.
The Bawku conflict, rooted in a chieftaincy dispute between the Mamprusi and Kusasi ethnic groups, has persisted for decades, claiming lives, disrupting economic activities, and draining state security resources.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Joshua Asaah|Bolgatanga
