President John Dramani Mahama has made a passionate call for peace in Bawku and other conflict-prone areas in Ghana, condemning recent violence that has claimed lives and disrupted public services.
The President expressed admiration for the region’s peaceful coexistence and urged other areas, particularly Bawku, to emulate that example.
“Your Majesty, there can be no progress without peace, and I wish to commend you for the peace that reigns in Gonjaland,” Mahama said. “It is my wish that other areas will learn from the peace that Gonja enjoys. So I take this occasion to appeal to our brothers and sisters, Kusasis and Mamprusis, to give peace a chance.”
The President’s comments come in the wake of renewed violence in Bawku, which has led to the deaths of students and the flight of teachers and public servants from the area out of fear.
“We cannot accept the current situation where students are shot in school and killed,” he said. “We cannot accept the current situation where teachers, public officers have all run away from Bawku because they are afraid for their lives.”
He noted that the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who is leading mediation efforts, has made significant progress, and expressed concern that the renewed fighting may be a deliberate attempt to sabotage the peace process.
