The Mamprusi community in Bawku celebrated this year’s Damba Festival with a resounding appeal to businesses and government institutions that had folded up due to the prolonged conflict to return, as the area enjoys relative peace.

Institutions like the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), banks, and several private businesses had shut down their operations in Bawku following a series of violent clashes that claimed lives and destroyed properties.

Speaking at the colourful festival celebration, Lawyer Mohammed Tahiru Nambe, a legal practitioner and opinion leader of the Mamprusi community, said Bawku is currently enjoying relative peace and urged government agencies and private enterprises to reconsider their departure.

“The media as well, we want you to send the message across that Bawku is not the Bawku they knew three months ago. Bawku has changed. We are calling upon the government agencies that have folded up and left Bawku to return to Bawku so that Bawku will have its past glory. The banks, SSNIT, and the rest, you will need to come back and help build Bawku,” Lawyer Namber stated.

Lawyer Nambe also commended the youth of the Mamprusi community for their discipline and urged them to continue to be law-abiding to sustain the peace.

He entreated Ghanaians to keep Bawku in their prayers for lasting peace.

This year’s Damba Festival theme was “Sustaining Relative Peace in Bawku: The Role of the Youth.”
Mamprugu Youth President in Bawku, Awudu Bagura, strongly consented to the youth to resist vices like drug abuse and provocative social media activities that threaten peace.

“I urge the youth to avoid engaging in drug abuse, which destroys lives and fuels violence. Similarly, I implore you not to make provocative audios on social media, as such actions escalate tensions and undermine peace efforts. Let us use our voices and platforms for unity, dialogue, and positive change,” he advised.

He condemned violent activities such as road blockages, attacks by bandits, and indiscriminate gunfire by individuals who oppose peace.

The Municipal Chief Executive for Bawku, Hamza Amadu, also addressed the gathering, stressing the importance of peace and unity for Bawku’s development.

“Bawku has a long and proud history, but like all societies, we have faced challenges, the most significant being the maintenance of peace and unity. I want to acknowledge the efforts of the youth in this regard. You are the foundation of Bawku’s future, and the peace we desire can only be sustained if you continue to embrace dialogue, tolerance, and mutual respect,” he noted.

The Damba Festival was celebrated peacefully, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Mamprusi people. Traditional dances, drumming, and singing added colour to the event, as the Mamprusis in Bawku came together in unity and hope for a more peaceful and prosperous future for Bawku.