History tells us that the conflict in Bawku is a creation of politics and politicians dating back in 1957. It is not hidden to anyone who wants the truth that the conflict in Bawku is a chieftaincy issue created by politicians for their own parochial interest. It all started by Dr Kwame Nkrumah and his Convention People's Party's (CPP) surrogates. The conflict has run through many military and democratic governments in Ghana till date. 

The recent conflict started in November, 2021 under President Nana Akufo-Addo's government. The President's abled Vice President, H. E. Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia happens to be a Mamprusi by tribe. There have been calls from one of the feuding factions for Dr Bawumia to speak on the issue. Dr Bawumia being a peace loving and impartial personality  has decided to stay silent on the Bawku issue. Actions, they say, speak louder than words. He has demonstrated to both feuding factions that he is indeed a national figure by his deeds. 

During this conflict, Dr Bawumia donated food items to both factions to alleviate their sufferings without any discrimination. The items were personally recieved by the Bawku Municipal Chief Executive on behalf of both sides and distributed accordingly.  He has shown to all Ghanaians that though his tribesmen are involved in the conflict but he can remain neutral as humanly as possible. 

Another important point people need to know about Dr Bawumia's neutrality on the Bawku issue is the  show of kind gesture to the Kusasi during their celebration of their festival called Samanpid festival in 2022. He donated some amount of money to the Kusasi to help them celebrate their festival. Similarly, Dr Bawumia donated some amount of money too to the Mamprusi in 2022 when they were celebrating their maiden Gbewaa Homecoming Festival in Nalerigu. This clearly shows that Dr. Bawumia has so far fairly treated both sides with the highest form of professionalism and impartiality, hence, the call for him to break his silence on the Bawku issue is unwarranted.

It was all over the airwaves in 2021 when the Overlord of Mamprugu Kingdom sent his kinsmen to Bawku to perform the funeral of his late son, the former Bawku Naaba, Naa Adam Zangbeo Tampuri and they were arrested in Bolga after the performance of the funeral and sent to Accra. Though, the funeral was legally and customarily performed but they were illegally detained for more than one week without bail and without trial in a court of competent jurisdiction. It took the interventions of the youth of Mamprugu through press releases and their lawyers to ensure their kinsmen were arraigned before court. Dr Bawumia as a tribesman of the Mamprusi allowed the legal process to take it's course without any interference. I believe if this had happened to the tribesmen of the Kusasi, they would have accused the Vice President of being the mastermind behind their illegal detention. So, despite such unlawful actions suffered by the tribesmen of Dr Bawumia, he remained silent and neutral until they were successfully discharged  by a Court of competent jurisdiction. I strongly believe that whoever is advocating for Dr Bawumia to speak on the Bawku issue for a genuine reason would revise his/her notes after reading this piece. 

There are many issues that the Kusasi would have bitterly complained  had it been metted out to them by this government. The issues that came up after the enskinment of the 15th Bawku Naaba by the Nayiri, the King of the Mamprugu Kingdom were terrifying and alarming to the people of Mamprugu but the youth of Mamprugu did not depend on any politician to peacefully defend their kingdom. The youth of Mamprugu have chosen the path of peace and are resolute in achieving peace in Bawku without the help of any politician but through due process. The Vice President was silent on those issues as a stateman though his tribesmen were bitter. He exhibited a great statemanship. So if Kasaug People's Congress (KPC) and other Kusasi groups alike would not commend him for the show of neutrality, they should kindly desist from forcing him to comment on the issue. 

Interesting point that needs attention is the manner in which some New Patriotic Party (NPP) members in the Bawku Traditional Area expressed themselves on the Bawku issue. They have tried to link the conflict to Dr. Bawumia to the extent that some were even seen threatening not to vote for him because he has failed to call his people to order. What I want people to know is that the symbol of authority of the people of Mamprugu is the NAYIRI but not any politician. The issue at hand is a dicey one that needs to be assessed holistically by NPP members within the area. It is absolutely clear that some National Democratic Congress (NDC) leaders among the Kusasi are trying so hard to benefit from the conflict. They are deliberately creating a disaffection of the Kusasi in NPP for Dr. Bawumia simply because Dr. Bawumia is the only person in NPP as we speak who can lead the party to break the eight. The advice to NPP members in the Bawku area is that, they should not heed to the deceptive call of their tribesmen in NDC because they will definitely show them where they belong after deceiving them to make the wrong choice. They are aware that the other candidates contesting in the NPP presidential primaries are easily beatable by their party. You can deduce from the actions of Dr Bawumia that, he is a true stateman who never discriminates against any of the feuding factions. Do not be deceived. I humbly entreat you to massively vote for Dr Bawumia to lead NPP to break the eight for you to continue to enjoy your power. As former president Kufuor said, it is better to be a messenger in government than a general secretary in opposition. 

In addition, If you follow the NDC politics in the Bawku area keenly, you will realized that their only strategy is to use the Bawku conflict for their political gains. Recently, when former president Mahama toured the area to canvass for votes in their presidential primaries, the Kusasi in NDC asked him to state his stand on the Bawku issue but he intelligently ignored their plea and went on to play with their minds by telling them that the conflict only recurs when a particular government is in power. We all know very well that the conflict recurred when he was the president of Ghana. A Kusasi in NPP, ask yourself why he ignored that call to declare his stand on the issue? So, do not fall for their trap, for chieftaincy issues cannot be resolved by politicians but through time tested institutions, customs and traditions. 

In conclusion,  it is unambiguous that Dr Bawumia's silence on the Bawku issue can only be measured by his deeds. He has clearly exhibited fairness and goodwill to both sides, hence, the reason people see him as a true unifier, nationalistic in character and peace loving. He has exhibited the leader in him to the world. He is for all without boundaries. Dr Bawumia has indeed exhibited a true statemanship on the Bawku issue. 

Let's give peace a chance in Bawku. 

I Stand for Peace in Bawku

Thank you

Alhaji Salifu Hadara

Nalerigu/Gambaga Constituency

North East Region 

salifuhadara21@gmail.com

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