Nayiri calls for revival of Bawku Inter-Ethnic Committee

Nalerigu, N/R, May 14, GNA - The Nayiri, Na Bohagu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga, Paramount Chief of the Mamprugu Traditional Area in the Northern Region, has called for the revival of the Bawku Inter-Ethnic Committee. He also urged the representatives of the Mamprusi's to resume their participation in the deliberations of the Committee's work to ensure lasting peace in the area.

The Nayiri noted that through the Committee, modest improvement were made in the relationship between the Mamprusis and Kusasis and a revival of the Committee would facilitate more dialogue to find a durable solution to the destructive conflict in Bawku.

The Paramount Chief together with his Chiefs and Elders made the call at a press conference at Nalerigu in the East Mamprusi District on Friday. He suggested that the scope of dialogue should be widened to include representatives of other ethnic groups in the area, explaining that such an inclusion would add more points of view on matters concerning finding solutions to the conflict.

The Nayiri, Na Sheriga expressed concern that despite repeated appeals for dialogue between the representatives of the Mamprusis and Kusasis in the presence of security personnel, the conflict situation has still deteriorated and unlawful killings of innocent persons keep increasing in numbers.

He noted that the farming season has just set in and all people in the Bawku area would like to farm but said fears of attacks and confiscation of farmlands would deny some of them their livelihood this year. The Nayiri, therefore, appealed to all concerned to allow their neighbours to cultivate their crops and farm in peace so that children would not suffer from malnutrition.

He said it was already very disturbing that market women, who used to trade and patronise markets in the Bawku area, have had to stop for fear of their lives as selective killings adopted by some people in Bawku could directly affect anyone.

The Nayiri Na Sheriga complained that the prolonged conflict in Bawku and its environs has denied his Skin and the Mamprusis in Bawku their customary duty to perform the final funeral rights of the late Bawku Naba, Na Adam Zangbeo.

This, he said was very disturbing and one of the big challenges militating against the resolution of the conflict in the area. Another problem that was hindering peace in Bawku, he noted was the long detention of young people arrested for alleged atrocities during the conflict and said the Mamprusis were not happy and felt that they were being discriminated against. The Inter-Ethnic Peace Committee of Bawku was formed to address problems causing the protracted violent conflict and to find lasting solutions to it but in the course of the meetings, the Mamprusis pulled out of it and that has stalled its activities. 14 May 10