Story by: Ishmael Barfi
Foundation for Security Development in Africa, (FOSDA) has commended the Asantehene, Otumfour Osei Tutu II for his initiative to help resolve the protracted Bawku conflict between the Mamprusis and the Kusasis in the Upper East region as reported in the media.
According to FOSDA, the move by the Asantehene of Ghana is refreshing and laudable, especially considering the current wave of violence across the West African Sub-region.
This move is in line with FOSDA call for the establishment of a committee of Eminent Chiefs to mediate the protracted Bawku conflict, learning from the success of the Dagbon case which was led by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
This was contained in a Press Release issued and signed by the Executive Director of Foundation for Security Development in Africa (FOSDA), Ms. Theodora W. Anti in Accra and copied to www.thenewindependentonline.com.
“We believe that such a move is very likely to bring the much-needed peace to the people of Bawku given the failure of the Judicial system to settle the issues”, the release noted.
The Bawku conflict has pre-dated Ghana’s struggle for independent and has been intertwined with issues of politics, ethnicity, land and chieftaincy for more than 65 years.
In 2021, there was a renewed clash among the parties in an attempt by the Mamprusis to observe the final funeral rite of the late Tampuri Alhaji Adams Zangbeogo which led to lost of innocent lives and property.
Besides, it is significant to note that several bodies have attempted to resolved the matter including government commissions, Tractional Authorities, Civil Society Organization (CSOs) and the Supreme Court Ruling of April 2003 still remains the most remarkable attempt to bring finality the conflict.
Various researches have proven that conflict prone areas are fertile grounds for violent extremist and terrorist attack.
This mediation according to FOSDA is of importance due to the geographical location of Bawku as a border town to Burkina Faso in the North of Ghana which to them, makes the current situation in Bawku very worrying and risky for the whole country.
“Therefore uses this medium to commend Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for taking up this herculean task to find lasting peace for the people of Bawku, to save lives and bring about sustainable development.
Adding that, “FOSDA calls for the support of Government and citizens to support this initiative and urges all interested parties to approach the mediation process in utmost good faith with the hope of coming out with an amicable resolution”.
Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA) is a human security focused organization that works to minimize and mitigate the drivers of human security such as poverty, youth unemployment, inequality, gender inequality, bad governance through advocacy, research, policy influencing, capacity building of marginalized groups such as women and youth.
Source: www.thenewindependentonline.com
