The Upper East Regional Minister, Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih, has urged individuals who fled Bawku due to the ongoing conflict to begin returning, expressing optimism that peace is gradually being restored to the area.

He made the call while addressing the chiefs and people of the Kusaug traditional area during the celebration of the Samanpiid festival in Bawku.

The Samanpiid festival, celebrated by the Kusasi ethnic group, marks the end of the harvest season. It is a time for households to offer sacrifices to God, their ancestors, and the gods of the land for their guidance throughout the farming season. A durbar was introduced 37 years ago as part of this annual celebration, which has since become a key event in the Bawku traditional area.

This year’s Samanpiid festival, held at the Daduri Catholic Park in Bawku, was especially significant as it coincided with the 40th anniversary of Zugraan, Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II. The event attracted dignitaries from across the region, including a high-powered delegation from the Asantehene.

In his speech, Dr. Bin Salih expressed hope for the region’s recovery and encouraged all individuals and institutions that had fled the town due to the conflict to begin their return as peace takes hold once again.

“I want to appeal to those who fled to return as normalcy is gradually returning to Bawku. Nobody can bring peace to Bawku, it is you and me who can bring peace to Bawku. The presence of security personnel, imposition of curfew and ban on motor riding, among other measures, are only temporary measures,”
he stated.

In a speech read on his behalf by his secretary, the overlord of the Kusaug traditional area, Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II re-echoed his call for the creation of a new region in the Bawku area.

Some celebrants who spoke to Channel One News indicated they were delighted over the event.

Dominic Mbang is a resident of the United Kingdom who joined the people of the area for the festival. He emphasised the relevance of peace to the people and indicated the Curfew imposed on the area is necessary but evil.

“The curfew is very unfair to the people of Bawku, even though it is to our advantage for peace to continue. But I hope that when the new administration takes over on January 7, we hope that they will normalize things and there won’t be a curfew in Bawku,” he added.