THOUGH Bawku has enjoyed relative peace over the past five months, the shooting incident that rocked the municipality last Sunday leaves much to be desired.
Many organisations, including the Bawku Inter-Ethnic Peace Committee (BIEPC), have already condemned the incident and described it as the work of isolated individuals bent on disrupting the prevailing peace in the area.
Though this latest incident is not related to the protracted ethnic conflict in the area but a criminal act whose motive is yet to be established, it is still worrying and calls for national concern.
The Daily Graphic would like to remind the people of Bawku that nobody can bring peace to the area except they the good people of Bawku themselves.
While the Bawku conflict generally needs a concerted national solution, it primarily requires the people of Bawku to be prepared not to condone crime but expose the criminals living in their midst and fomenting trouble.
Undoubtedly, the activities of those who do not want the area to develop in peace are very detrimental when weighed against the huge chunk of revenue and resources the government spends on conflicts.
Working relentlessly to restore permanent peace in the area will not come easy, but with a united front, the guns can fall permanently silent.
Since the youth constitute the bulk of the country's workforce, they must show concern for the challenges facing Bawku which are impeding development efforts there. The youth of Bawku must, therefore, galvanise their energies towards productive ventures that will promote peace and facilitate the socio-economic development of the area.
Since the escalation of the conflict in December 2007, it has been very difficult for many pupils and students in the area to carry on with their academic activities which have frequently been interrupted by a resurgence in the conflict.
In a situation of conflict, it is not easy for children to study in an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty, even when teachers agree to risk their lives to go to school to teach.
It is, therefore, imperative for the residents of Bawku and its environs to let the peace being enjoyed be an everlasting one.
In this regard, the Daily Graphic would like to appeal to all and sundry to help maintain and sustain peace in Bawku
Following last Sunday’s shooting incident, three persons have been arrested and four deadly weapons — two AK 47 assault rifles, two G3 assault rifles, six empty AK 47 magazines and three G3 empty magazines — as well as half a gallon of Rangoon oil for servicing the weapons, have been retrieved. The three — a Frafra and two Bissas — are currently assisting the police in their investigations.
While the Daily Graphic would like to commend the security personnel for the prompt action they took that led to the arrest of the suspects when the shooting started last Sunday, it is our hope that those who were arrested will be quickly arraigned to serve as a deterrent to others.
The peace currently prevailing in Bawku must be maintained at all cost and this requires the police to be on the alert at all times. They must also guard against the misuse of their weapons. While it is good to establish a good relationship with the people of Bawku, the police should be wary of taking sides or being seen to be taking sides, as that could mar the peace efforts.
The security forces must do everything possible to ensure that last Sunday’s incident does not throw the area into any more chaos. Indeed, they must ensure that calm and peace in Bawku are maintained, in spite of the sporadic shooting in the area last Sunday.
Peace is an essential ingredient that is required to preserve humanity. Peace-building also calls for consistent and co-ordinated efforts from all stakeholders. There is, therefore, the need for everyone to think, speak and teach peace.
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