Unity Key to Peace in Bawku - Prof. Kuruk

Professor Paul Kuruk has called for reconciliation, unity and the implementation of appropriate social and economic policies in education, employment, trade and investment as key to sustainable peace in Bawku. He made the call during his welcome address as Chairman of the 26th Annual Samanpiid Festival of the Chiefs and People of the Bawku Traditional Area which was held in Bawku on December 29, 2013. The festival was attended by former President Jerry John Rawlings who was the Guest of Honour. Other government officials in attendance included the Upper East Regional Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna, who represented President John Mahama; the Minister of Defence, Hon. Mark Woyongo; and the Minister of Information and Media Relations, Hon. Mahama Ayariga.

Professor Kuruk observed that the aspirations of the people of the area for development could only be achieved in an atmosphere of reconciliation, forgiveness, tolerance, moderation, compromise, cooperation and the peaceful resolution of their differences. He therefore called on the people to use the available fora, including the Bawku Inter-Ethnic Peace Committee and the National Peace Council, to dialogue and address issues pertaining to peace in Bawku.

He pointed out that sustaining the peace to facilitate development in the traditional area would require the collective effort of all interest groups. As he explained, “all segments of the population, especially the youth, and regardless of ethnic background, clan, lineage or family roots, must recognize themselves as one people. Thus, whether you are a Kusasi, Mamprusi, Busanga, Moshie, Hausa, Ashanti, Fante or Ewe in our traditional area, we are all one people. We should all rise in unison and fight poverty, illiteracy and unemployment.”

He identified education as a very high priority sector which would enhance the employment prospects of the youth. Improving the quality of, and accessibility to, long-term education by the youth would be crucial for creating lasting peace as young people with limited education and limited job opportunities are often potential recruits for parties who wish to foment trouble.

He urged that adequate steps be taken to stimulate private sector development, trade and investment. Bemoaning the fact that past conflicts had scared away investors and stifled the economic prospects of the area, he noted that with the prevailing atmosphere of peace, now was the time to adopt appropriate measures to make Bawku a premier destination for investors and re-establish it as the leading trading hub in Northern Ghana it once was before the conflicts. Blessed by its strategic location as a border town close to Burkina Faso and Togo, the town of Bawku is well placed geographically to serve as a bustling commercial centre for trade from three countries.

As a legal expert on trade and investment issues, Professor Kuruk opined that improving the quality of the local infrastructure would enhance the ability of the area to attract investments. This could be achieved by constructing new roads and local markets, improving electricity and drinking water supplies, facilitating access to financial and internet services and building sports and recreational facilities especially for the youth.

Professor Kuruk commended the Bawku Traditional Council for introducing the Queen Mother concept in 2010 as part of a bid to modernise the culture of the area. The concept was implemented with the subsequent enstoolment of the first Paramount Queen mother, and others in the various divisional and sub-divisional sections. Professor Kuruk applauded these developments as steps in the right direction as they have introduced women into the traditional governance system. He called on local policymakers to continue to examine and reassess the traditional culture and values with a view to reforming cultural practices that were not conducive to the development of the traditional area.

Professor Kuruk acknowledged the critical role President John Mahama and his administration have played to guarantee peace and security and also promote development in the area. On behalf of the people, he thanked the representative of the President for the development projects President Mahama has supported including the creation of two new Districts in Pusiga and Binduri.

He said the people of the area appreciated and supported the efforts of the President and his Government to lead Ghanaians to build a better Ghana. He assured the representative of the President that the people of the area would play their part to ensure the success of President Mahama’s national development programme, the pillars of which are putting people first; building a strong economy; expanding infrastructure; and ensuring transparent and accountable governance.

***Professor Paul Kuruk is an international trade law and human rights expert who teaches at Cumberland School of Law of Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. He is also the Executive Director of the Institute for African Development (INADEV), an NGO based in Accra.