Don't meddle in Bawku conflict - Nayiri

Nalerigu (N/R), March 17, GNA - The Nayiri, Naa Bohugu Abdulai Mahami Sheriga, King of Mamprugu, has urged politicians and political commentators to refrain from making irresponsible pronouncements about the situation in Bawku to score political points. He urged them to "rise above parochial interest and contribute meaningfully to restore calm and lasting peace to help heal the pain the people of Bawku have already endured".

Naa Sheriga, who was addressing a press conference on the Bawku conflict at his palace in Nalerigu on Sunday, said he wanted to correct the erroneous impression being created by "some unscrupulous and ignorant people" that he had no traditional jurisdiction over the Bawku chieftaincy. "I wish to state with special emphasis that my Kingdom remains the oldest in Ghana and started in Pusiga-Bawku and some parts of the Upper East Region such as Nangode, Sakote, Tongo, Zuarungu and Bongo," he said.

The Nayiri said his Kingdom traditionally enskinned chiefs of Binduri, Teishi, Warikambo and Tanka. "Any person or group of people who attempt to rewrite the history of this tradition by whatever means must put a stop to it immediately or else face the wrath of the gods." "Let me remind them that traditional structures remain independent of partisan politics and traditional boundaries are not affected by political demarcation and all must appreciate this fact and be circumspect in their pronouncements", the King said.

Naa Sheriga expressed his sadness about the involvement of towns such as Pusiga, Garu, Zebilla, Binduri and Binaba in the Bawku conflict and the attack on the lives and properties of Mamprusis and other innocent people in the area.

"I appeal to all those involved in the perpetration of the cruel acts and those who fuel and fund the conflict to put a stop to their activities before they are consumed by their own misdeeds". He called on the youth of Mamprugu, especially those in Nalerigu, Gambaga, Langbinsi, Walewale and Bolgatanga to remain calm and not to indulge in any retaliatory attack on the lives and properties of Kusasis.

Naa Sheriga called on the government to be cautious and impartial in its intervention in the Bawku conflict in order to win the confidence and trust of all the people involved in the conflict. He said he would consult the National House of Chiefs, elders and sub chiefs in his kingdom to find a durable and lasting peace to the protracted Bawku conflict.

Naa Sheriga appealed to the Ministry of the Interior to review the long hours of the curfew imposed on the area since it had serious health implications, especially in this season of the outbreak of cerebro-spinal meningitis (CSM).

The Nayiri commended the government and all other stakeholders in peace promotion in their efforts to bring peace to Bawku. He also extended his condolences to all the bereaved families and urged the feuding factions, especially the youth, to lay down their arms and bring all attacks and hostilities to an immediate end.