Since the ethnic disturbances commenced again between the mamprusis and the Kusasis in Bawku in the upper East region of Ghana, I have closely monitored comments and allegations being thrown all over the place as to who did what in relation to the crisis in that part of the country.

Among persons that have been accused of involvement in the crisis is Mahama Ayariga the presidential spokesperson. He has Infact being accused of fanning the crisis. His accuser’s only reason for linking him to the crisis is that, as government spokesperson he has some influence and could have used that influence to foment trouble. I sincerely have being thinking about this and have asked myself several questions and have now come to the conclusion that, he probably could have being linked to the crisis by his detractors.

Some of the accusers of Ayariga are of the rather flimsy excuse that he had visited the area shortly before the crisis. The question to ask here is that, if he should visit the place which is his biological home town and a long standing ethnic crisis which dates date even to the 1950,s resurfaces again what has it got to do with him. I hope we are not trying to create a situation whereby if you are connected to a political party and there are disturbances in your community then you should either be declared persona non granta or even be linked to the crisis without any empirical evidence? This is nonsensical in my opinion.

Let us remember that, political opponents are not enemies, politics will come and go but the evil that men do will live after them. I don’t think it is the best of times to want to get at somebody using very frivolous excuses when that person has problems in his or her backyard.

All I know for a fact is that, Ayariga is more disturbed of events in his area just like anybody will in such a situation. This is somebody who is related to both factions in the crisis which in itself is enough headaches to him yet at the same time he is being linked to crisis which is three times older than his age.

There is a proverb that, if you go to war with your own brother and even defeat him who do you celebrate the victory with? Of what use will the war at Bawku be of benefit to Ayariga when all those involved in the crisis are his brothers? Those mentioning his parliamentary ambition as a probable reason for his alleged involvement in the crisis must come to the quickest realisation that, even if there was to be a bye-election in the Bawku Central constituency, Ayariga will need the votes of both the mamprusis and the Kusasis to get to parliament. My view therefore is that, we must be very fair with our comments and allegations as regards who we trying to implicate in this unfortunate crisis. We have to stand by Ayariga on this occasion.

And then on the interior minister, my position on him has not changed. What must be made clear is that, nobody is accusing Minister Avorka of being responsible for the crisis what is being said is that, as a man in charge of domestic security and a member of one of the factions in the crisis it is only normal that, two things should happen, either Mr Avorka should resign honourably or be reassigned by the president period!

I am even surprised that, inspite of all these explanations the president has not deemed it sensible to reassign the minister. The question to ask here is, President Mills is this you mean when ever you say you will be a father for all and that you are a listening president?

Why can’t you just reassign him to end these allegations of complicity against him and your party? I hope the presidency is not getting into your head president Mills? To me president Mills should be held responsible if he fails to reassign minister Avorka and something else happens at Bawku.

And to the warring faction’s at Bawku, none but your selves can give yourselves the needed peace. Conflict resolution experts and the government can only facilitate the process. You have to say to yourselves “we value our lives and our wives, children, brothers, sisters” and even the society at large still need you.

Akilu Sayibu, UK Akilu.sayibu@live.uwe.ac.uk