At the Regional Youth Peace Conference commemorating International Youth Day and ActionAid Ghana’s 35th anniversary, the Deputy Director at the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council, Mr. Murtala Braimah, delivered a heartfelt speech on behalf of the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr. Donatus Akamukri-Atanga.
The event, attended by youth leaders, activists, and stakeholders, became a platform for a strong call to action to address growing insecurity and unrest in senior high schools and conflict-prone communities across the region.
Mr. Braimah acknowledged the crucial role of Activista Ghana, a nationwide youth movement affiliated with ActionAid, in advocating for peace and empowering young people. He highlighted their history of engaging political parties, securing commitments to peaceful elections, and running empowerment programs that have impacted youth across the country.
Drawing inspiration from Ghana’s youth anthem, Mr. Braimah urged young people to rise for their country and present a petition to the government, calling for urgent and intensified efforts to restore peace in troubled areas, especially Bawku, and to bring order to senior high schools. Before outlining the petition’s details, he led the gathering in a minute of silence for the eight men who lost their lives in a recent helicopter crash and all victims of conflict in the region.
Mr. Braimah also used the medium to commend stakeholders and residents of Doba and Kandega for their return to peaceful coexistence, stressing the need to consolidate and build on such progress. He lamented the deepening poverty and instability caused by conflicts in Bawku, mining communities, and the unrest in senior high schools, noting that the violence has spread and now threatens the safety of all.
He recognized efforts by the government and the Asantehene to restore peace, but warned that recent escalations could undermine progress. The toll, he said, has been grave: loss of lives, displacement of the vulnerable, and the tragic deaths of students. “This is unacceptable and needs urgent attention,” Braimah declared.
Particularly concerning, he noted, was the rise in disturbances at senior high schools such as Zuarungu SHS, Gworie SHS, and Sherigu Integrated SHS, incidents that disrupt academics, destroy property, and compromise the quality of education. Such unrest, he stressed, must be tackled decisively if the region is to bridge the development gap.
Braimah outlined a series of recommendations from Activista Ghana:
1. Station security personnel in high-risk senior high schools.
2. Enable groups like Activista and ActionAid to regularly engage students on discipline and peaceful conduct.
3. Ensure schools are responsive to student welfare to prevent riots and encourage non-violent grievance resolution.
4. Address pressing infrastructure deficits in schools that can fuel unrest.
On the Bawku conflict, he appealed for:
Drastic government measures to enforce peace while protecting lives and property.
- Expedited mediation under the Asantehene’s leadership.
- Commitment by all parties to the peace process.
- Youth and community members to choose dialogue over violence, as there are no winners in conflict.
- Humane enforcement by security personnel and increased involvement of religious groups and NGOs in peacebuilding.
Mr. Braimah also raised concerns about rising insecurity in mining communities, linking increased mining activity to armed robbery and local disputes. He urged the government to pay attention to prevent these issues from undermining regional peace.
Closing his address, Braimah congratulated ActionAid Ghana on 35 years of promoting gender equality, social justice, and youth action. He praised the organization’s transformative work in education, women’s empowerment, and youth advocacy, and expressed hope for even greater impact in the years ahead. “Being here as an Activista member is a testament to the commitment of the organization in helping the youth realize their full potential,” he said.
Mr. Braimah concluded on a note of gratitude and optimism, thanking ActionAid Ghana for its enduring service and urging all to unite for the prosperity and peace of the Upper East Region.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen
