President John Dramani Mahama, has called on residents of Bawku and its surrounding areas to embrace peace and renew friendships to end the ongoing conflict in the region.

His plea follows the recent surge in violence that has resulted in the deaths of about 56 people. The ongoing tensions have led to the imposition of a curfew in Bawku and its environs, with restricted movement between 8:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.

Addressing the public during the 68th Independence Day celebration held at the Jubilee House on March 6, under the theme “Reflect, Review, and Reset,” Mahama urged the people of Bawku to prioritize peace for the sake of future generations.

“The people of Bawku and other areas, it is time for lasting peace to prevail. Our children deserve to inherit a peaceful land where their dreams are nurtured, not a place where their nightmares are relived. They deserve to inherit a land where our markets are bustling with trade, not tension and conflict. They deserve schools that echo with learning, not melancholy,” Mahama stated.

He further urged the residents not to be swayed by mistrust or the weight of past grievances, emphasizing the need to move forward together.

“Let us give renewal and friendship a chance. Let us give peace a chance. This is not an invitation to simply forget the past far from it. It is an invitation to live above it,” he added.