Mamprusi Regent reacts to Bawku Naba's conference

Bolgatanga, March 8, GNA - The Mamprusi Regent of Bawku, Alhaji Ibrahim Adam Zangbeogo has called on the security agencies to conduct thorough investigations into the firing of guns in the Bawku Township during the recent celebration of the "Samanpiid" festival by the chiefs and people of Kusaug.

He said the allusions Bawku Naba, Aninchema Abugrago Azoka II made at a press conference were wrong and that it was only after thorough investigations that the truth would come out.

Speaking at a press conference in Bolgatanga, Alhaji Zangbeogo said although it was a long standing policy of the Mamprusi Community not to react to any utterances made by the Bawku Naba Azoka II, the press conference he held at which he pointed accusing fingers at a section of people in Bawku deserved to commented on to straighten the records.

He recalled that in the recent past, five ethnic conflicts had occurred between the Kusasi and Mamprusi in Bawku; and that an impartial Committee of enquiry set up by the Government in 1985 after one of those clashes under the chairmanship of Colonel George Minyila (rtd), established that the conflicts of 1983; 1984 and 1985 had been started by the Kusasis, with the Mamprusis being compelled to go into self-defence.

He indicated that the causes of the Bawku conflict as established by the George Minyila Committee stemmed from attempts by the Kusasis to engineer the transfer of all civil servants of Mamprusi origin from the Bawku District.

"These plans were orchestrated by the Kusasi Youth Movement and were to be implemented by the then political head of the District, who was also a Kusasi", he said.

On the Bawku chieftaincy issue, Alhaji Zangbeogo contended that the Supreme Court had not made any ruling on the matter since nothing had been adjudicated upon following an application by the Regent to discontinue the action earlier initiated, with liberty to return.

"Therefore, the statement that Bawku chieftaincy issue had been settled by the Supreme Court is totally misleading and calculated to deceive all stakeholders and the good people of Ghana", the Regent declared.

Alhaji Zangbeogo described attempts by the Bawku Naba to link the said shooting incident to the Mamprusis as part of diversionary tactics by the Paramount Chief. "The incident took place at Tinsungu Section, which is predominantly a Kusasi area of the town, and it would be complete madness for any Mamprusi to go there for a shooting expedition," he contended.

The Regent also alleged that there was a calculated design on the part of the Kusasis to tarnish the reputation of hardworking Mamprusis in the Region, who were either head or were likely to head their respective departments.

He emphasised that the Mamprusis were a peaceful ethnic group, who believed in the conviction that development could only be attained in a peaceful environment, and reaffirmed the commitment of the community not to resort to any act that would mar the atmosphere of tranquillity currently prevailing in the Bawku area.