Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has expressed hope for lasting peace and harmony between the feuding factions of Kusasis and Mamprusis in Bawku, who he said are ‘one people.’
Dr. Bawumia, who is a son of the North, said he is saddened by the situation and appealed for a truce and a peaceful co-existence among these two ethnic groups.
The Bawku conflict, which has been caused by a chieftaincy dispute between Mamprusis and Kusasis, has brought instability and violence to the Upper East Regional town, affecting many lives and livelihoods.
The Vice President visited Bawku on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, and met with the Bawkunaba, Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II.
According to him, they have a long history of intermarriage and cultural similarity, and hence there is no need for bloodshed over chieftaincy.
“I believe with every bone in my body that it is possible to have peace and harmony between Kusasis and Mamprusis in Bawku and I will work towards that. We have to work towards it. It is possible!” he said.
He also emphasized the importance of peace and unity for development and progress, especially for the youth, who will suffer the most from the conflict.
“The problem our people face is poverty and underdevelopment. As president, In Shaa Allah, I will contribute immensely to uplifting our people from poverty and underdevelopment. We cannot, however, be successful in our quest to eradicate poverty and bring development to our people in an atmosphere of conflict. We need peace for development.”
“Our youth need jobs, we need education, we need healthcare, we need roads. We should be fighting for the needs of our youth and not fight with each other,” Dr. Bawumia said.
The Vice President seized the opportunity to list several development projects undertaken by the NPP in the area, including the Bolga-Bawku road, and Agenda 111 district hospitals being constructed in Garu, Tempane, and Pusiga.
“These are the issues that matter for our people and these are the issues I will be focusing on as well.”
Dr. Bawumia was accompanied by a powerful government delegation including the Interior Minister Ambrose Dery, Chieftaincy, Religion and Culture Minister Steven Asamoah Boateng, National Chairman of NPP Steven Ayensu Ntim, and several MPs from the northern part of the country.