President John Dramani Mahama has said the recent fighting and killing in the Bawku conflict is deliberate action by trouble makers to derail the peace-building process.
The President said it was regrettable the escalation of violence in the decades-old conflict comes at a time significant progress has been made in the mediation between the two warring factions led by the Asantehene, Otumfuor Osei Tutu II.
“We have given the mediation to Otumfuo and he has constantly briefed me on the mediation efforts and we are almost there. So, the current fighting and killing can only be done by People who want to derail the mediation efforts,” he said.
President Mahama was speaking at the Presidency in Accra on Tuesday when the Overlord of Gonjaland, Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I, paid a courtesy call on him.
The renewed tension has led to the death of three students of the Bawku and Narelegu Senior High Schools forcing the closure of schools in the areas, evacuation of students and teachers and an imposition of 2pm to 6am curfew.
“We cannot accept the current situation in Bawku where students are shot in school and killed. We cannot accept the situation where Teachers and workers have runaway for their lives,“ he stated.
The situation in the area, President Mahama said was retarding the development of the once busy commercial hub where Ghana shares borders with both Burkina Faso and Togo.
Commending the peace in Gonja Kingdom, President Mahama said same shows what is possible when traditional leadership and development priorities aligned.
He called for a national solidarity for conflict hit areas for a wholistic national stability.
“From Bawku to Nkwanta and beyond, we must choose dialogue over violence and unity over division.
“When we see each other as brothers and sisters rather than adversaries, when we view our diversity as strength rather than weakness, then and only then can we build the Ghana we all want,” President Mahama noted.
He outlined his developmental vision for the Savannah Region stating that it would receive its fair share of the national cake including the construction of a 300-bed regional hospital in Damongo, annual road construction targets of 10 kilometers per district, establishment of a University College of Agriculture and Technology, and major agricultural and youth employment programs amongst others.
Seated in state in his full regalia, the Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I, said the region was grateful for the assurance of development and appealed for expedited action to ensure the timely delivery of social amenities.
The Overlord noted that peace was sine qua non to development and pledged of their unflinching commitment to work towards a peaceful Savanah Region.
“Mr. President, as you travel the length and breadth of our nation to fulfill your social contract with Ghanaians, peace is a highly cherished commodity by all Ghanaians. “Development thrives where peace reigns and we, as traditional leaders, pledge to do our part in preserving peace within our jurisdiction.”
He appealed to the President to revive work on the Regional House of Chiefs project which has stalled for years.
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