The National Catholic Bishops Conference has asked the security on peacekeeping in Bawku, to be more professional and circumspect in the discharge of their duties and be measured in the use of their firearms so as not to kill innocent people.
President of the conference most reverend Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, at a media briefing in Accra, also urged the Military to desist from some of the inhumane treatment and brutalities being meted out to innocent citizens of Bawku.
‘At all cost, we must avoid actions that will result in reprisal effects from aggrieved people’. Most reverend Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, Stressed.
Full statement
GHANA CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE APPEALS TO GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE OF BAWKU TO HELP BRING THE PROTRACTED CONFLICT IN BAWKU TO AN END AND GIVE PEACE A CHANCE
We, the members of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC), are saddened by recent developments in Bawku leading to the death of 15 peoples and other people sustaining varied degrees of injuries. We are deeply concerned about the deteriorating
security situation in the area.
We have keenly followed and monitored, over the years, the protracted conflict between the Kusasis and Mamprusis that has resulted in the loss of precious lives and the wanton destruction of property. This lingering conflict is gradually turning Bawku into a ghost town.
In some of our Communiques issued in the past, including the latest issued at the end of our Plenary Assembly held in Donkorkrom in November 2022, we made a passionate appeal to Government and the people of Bawku in the words: ‘It appears the conflict and insecurity in Bawku are gradually getting off the radar of Government. The town has become a pale shadow of itself as Education, Health and Social services delivery is adversely affected by the exodus of teachers, nurses and business people from the town. Government needs to pay attention to the plight of the remnant residents of the town by ensuring that lasting solution is found to the conflict in the area and should act swiftly to prevent Bawku and its environs from becoming a possible launching pad for terrorist groups operating in neighbouring countries”.
We wish to reiterate our appeal to Government, as a matter of urgency, to use all the resources at its disposal to ensure that a lasting solution is found to the protracted conflict in Bawku. The situation of insecurity in Bawku and its environs is further compounded by the recent influx of refugees from Burkina Paso into the area thus putting further pressure on the already impoverished and beleaguered communities welcoming these refugees seeking a safe haven. This influx could become a breeding ground for the infiltration of terrorist groups operating in neighbouring countries.
We call on Government and most especially state institutions mandated ta deal with migrants and displaced people to step up their humanitarian response to the situation in and around Bawku to avert further suffering inflicted on the population of the area.
At the same time, we urge the Government to empower the National Security apparatus to ensure the non-infiltration of terrorist groups into the country.
While commending the Security Personnel on the ground for working towards security and peace in Bawku, we call on them to be more professional and circumspect in the discharge of their duties and be measured in the use of their firearms so as not to kill innocent people.
We also urge them to desist from some of the inhumane treatment and brutalities being meted out to innocent citizens of Bawku. At all cost, we must avoid actions that will result in reprisal effects from aggrieved people.
We equally commend the efforts of the National and Regional Peace Councils and other participants who are working feverishly to find a lasting solution to the Bawku conflict and urge them to continue to engage the parties in the conflict.
We, finally, appeal to the factions involved in the Bawku conflict, as well as all other stakeholders, such as the traditional leaders, faith groups, print and electronic media, natives and non-indigenes, political party groups and the international community to do everything possible to help the process of peace-building for the sake of our brothers and sisters in Bawku area and for the peace of Ghana.
God bless our homeland Ghana and make our nation great and strong!
By Peter Quao Adattor
