Correspondence by Mumuni Yunus, Northern Region:
Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama, has called for peace in the Bawku Municipality of the Upper East Region.
He stated that they were aware some “sinister hands” were behind the protracted chieftaincy conflict in the Bawku area, which has claimed hundreds of lives over the years.
Mr. Mahama appealed to residents of Bawku not to allow such faceless individuals to provoke them into violence.
“We know that there are some sinister hands who are trying to stoke the fires of ethnic conflicts; they should not allow themselves to be provoked to violence,” Mr. Mahama said at a rally in Saboba in the Northern Region.
Former President Mahama, who appealed for peace in Bawku and other areas in Northern Ghana, promised that an NDC government would ensure sustainable peace and development in the area.
“Please, the people of the Bawku area, I’m begging you, I’m pleading with you, remain calm and restrained, don’t resort to conflict. NDC is coming; when we come, we’ll make sure there’s peace in Bawku and surrounding areas,” he promised.
His comments follow renewed clashes related to the Bawku chieftaincy dispute over the weekend, where at least 10 people lost their lives in Bawku and its environs.
Mr. Mahama pledged to prioritize the construction of the road network in the Saboba District.
He also promised to ensure the construction of a bridge over the Oti River to connect Saboba to the Zabzugu and Tatale Districts in the first year of his administration.
The NDC Flagbearer commenced the first phase of his Northern Regional tour on Monday.
He will be visiting locations in the eastern corridor enclave of the region, including Cheriponi, Saboba, Zabzugu, Tatale, Yendi, and Kpandai, among others.
