POSITIVE SIGNS FROM BAWKU (APRIL 14, 2009)

THE conflict in Bawku, one of the richly endowed areas in the country, has deprived the people of the area of the development required to uplift their status.
The area has not known peace since the end of December 2007 after the celebration of the Samanpiid Festival. Immediately after the celebration of the festival, violence erupted between the Kusasis and Mamprusis, compelling the government to impose a state of emergency there in order to maintain law and order.
The government is spending a fortune in the maintenance of law and order by deploying military and police personnel to the area and paying their allowances and rations from scarce resources which could have been channelled into upgrading educational, health and social infrastructure there.
Bawku, an otherwise sprawling municipality with a big market and other commercial outlets, has been reduced to a “ghost” town, with many civil and public servants deserting their posts.
The real effects of the conflict will be felt a few years’ time when the people begin to count its cost.
Fortunately, the people have, at long last, recognised the need to make peace with one another in order to benefit from the rich resources in the area, as well as the government’s development agenda.
Last weekend, they put behind them their differences and came together to celebrate the Samanpiid Festival.
Reports indicate that the grand occasion was celebrated in an atmosphere of peace, giving hope that the people are prepared to promote peaceful co-existence.
It is the wish of every well-meaning Ghanaian that peace and tranquillity returns to Bawku immediately so that the people can contribute their quota towards national development. If that happens, schools that were deserted by pupils and teachers will bounce back with serious teaching and learning processes and hospitals will offer medical care to the sick and the aged, while trading activities will resume in the markets to revive the local economy.
The DAILY GRAPHIC agrees with the President in the address read on his behalf in Bawku that “the incessant conflicts in Bawku and its surroundings have retarded the development of the area” and his appeal to the chiefs to use the festival to mend broken relationships with their neighbours for peaceful and harmonious co-existence in Bawku and its environs.
We have, time and again, urged all parties in dispute to recognise the strength in dialogue and insist on remaining at the negotiation table until a compromise is reached.
The DAILY GRAPHIC reminds the people of Bawku that it will never be in their interest to be fighting among themselves, destroying lives and property when they know that their bitterest enemy is poverty.
The celebration of the festival at the weekend is an indication that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
The DAILY GRAPHIC is convinced that the chiefs and people of the area will rise above parochial considerations and show by word and deed that they are ready for peace.
Nobody has profited from wars because even those who claim victory count some losses.
The leaders of the area should be courageous to embrace the peace overtures and forgive their enemies, so that with one accord they can pursue the path of meaningful development.