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Government will find lasting solution to Bawku conflict -
Bartels
Bawku (U/E), Jan 9, Ghanadot/GNA - Mr Kwamena Bartels,
Minister of Interior, on Tuesday assured the chiefs and
people of the Bawku that government would find a lasting
solution to the recurrent conflict in Bawku.
He appealed to them to cooperate with security personnel
posted to the area to ensure peace and also with any
fact-finding group that might visit them to seek their
knowledge and wisdom that would assist in finding a lasting
solution to the conflict.
Mr. Bartels said this when he visited the municipality and
was accompanied by the Minister of Defence, Mr. Albert Kan-Dapaah
and the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Samuel Anum
Odotei.
He appealed to the chiefs of Mamprusis and Kusasis and
opinion leaders from the area to talk to their people to
continue to exercise restraint whilst government finds a
lasting solution to the problem.
Mr Bartels said as custodians of the land, they needed to
help the government find a permanent solution to the
conflict and commended the two chiefs for exhibiting high
sense of wisdom by helping to bring the communal violence
under control and urged them to continue with the peace
initiatives.
Both chiefs expressed gratitude for the concern shown by
government and pledged their support to help find a lasting
solution to the communal conflict, saying that it was
retarding the development of the area.
Lt-Col Irvin Ayitey, Commander of the Air Borne Force, told
the delegation that an uneasy calm had returned to Bawku and
that security personnel were leaving no stone unturned to
maintain peace.
He suggested the need to complete the Bazua Army camp in the
area since it would help combat crimes and pave way for
development.
Major General Odotei told security personnel to exhibit a
high sense of professionalism, not to take sides with any of
the feuding factions and to be vigilant.
Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Upper East
Region, Mr. Ofosu Mensah-Gyeabour, said eight people had
been officially reported dead and that the figure could be
higher because some deaths might not have been reported.
Seventeen people were reported injured and are receiving
treatment while 98 houses and 29 stores were burnt.
Twenty-two people have been arrested in connection with the
conflict and remanded in the Navrongo Prisons pending
further investigations.
Mr. Kan-Dapaah commended the security personnel for their
ability to bring the situation under control and urged them
to continue maintaining neutrality.
GNA.
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