SONA 2024: President Akufo-Addo laments resources spent on maintaining peace in Bawku SONA 2024
Politics

SONA 2024: President Akufo-Addo laments resources spent on maintaining peace in Bawku

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has expressed concerns over the number of resources that have been used to keep peace in the Bawku municipality in the Upper East region of Ghana. Speaking during his recent State of the Nation Address in Parliament, President Akufo-Addo highlighted that the funds utilized to maintain peace in the area could have been used for development instead. The President emphasized that chieftaincy and land disputes in various parts of the country have become breeding grounds for internal tensions and destabilization. Specifically addressing the situation in Bawku, he stated, “The tragedy is not only that the thriving and dynamic town is being reduced to a wasteland of destruction and distrust; we’re spending money and energy that would have been better spent on the development needs of Bawku providing security to keep brothers and sisters from killing each other.” President Akufo-Addo called on all Ghanaians to be concerned about the Bawku conflict, describing it as a matter of national importance. He warned that the current state of Bawku could attract mischief makers and extremists, posing a threat to the area. In efforts to maintain peace in Bawku, the government has implemented various measures such as shutting down four radio stations in the area and establishing specialized courts to expedite trials on disputes arising from the conflict. The President also urged citizens to heed the “See something say something” campaign promoted by the National Security to prevent any potential conflicts from escalating. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0256336062.

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May God grant me the wisdom to achieve that outcome” Akufo-Addo prayed as he assured Organized Labour of peace resolution in Bawku President Akufo-Addo (Left) Dr. Yaw Baah, the Secretary General of Trades Union Congress Ghana (TUC-Ghana) (Right)
Opinion, Politics

May God grant me the wisdom to achieve that outcome” Akufo-Addo prayed as he assured Organized Labour of peace resolution in Bawku

Dr. Yaw Baah, the Secretary General of Trades Union Congress Ghana (TUC-Ghana) during his speech at the just-ended 2023 National May Day celebration has revealed, that the concluding decision to host the 2023 Workers Day Celebration in the Upper East Region was to show solidarity with workers and all the people in this region. The General Secretary lamented that the ethnic conflict in the region is having a devastating impact on lives, property, businesses, jobs, schooling, health care, and social and religious activities, particularly in the Bawku District. “Mr. President, the leadership of Organized Labour selected Upper East Region for this year’s National May Day Parade for two main reasons. The first reason is that we wanted to have the opportunity to show solidarity with workers and all the people in this region. The ethnic conflict in the region is having a devastating impact on lives, property, businesses, jobs, schooling, health care and social and religious activities, particularly in the Bawku District. We in Organised Labour believe that conflict and instability anywhere in the country pose a serious threat to lives and development everywhere in the country. The second reason for choosing the Upper East Region for the national parade is that we wanted to create an opportunity and a unique platform for H.E The President of the Republic to address the Chiefs and people of this region directly”. He reveals Mr. Baah and Organized Labour said they hope, that by appealing to the warring factions directly from here to complement all the efforts the government has been making towards the resolution of the conflict in Bawku, there will be peace. When that happens, it will be a modest contribution from Organized Labour towards peace and stability in the Upper East region. He said “On this special occasion, we are appealing to you, Mr. President, and your government to intensify the efforts you are making towards the resolution of the conflict. We pray for God’s wisdom for you to help resolve this conflict during your term in office, just as you helped to resolve the conflict in Dagbon. This will be a great legacy indeed”. Meanwhile, responding to the Organized Labour’s calls for President Akufo-Addo to use his office in making sure peace returns to Bawku just as he did in Dagbon, President assured the general public that there is no higher priority for the Government on the agenda of national security than the resolution of the Bawku conflict. Not only are we enhancing, as we speak, the security deployment in the area to promote more strongly the rule of law, and hold accountable all who violate law and order in the area, we are also intensifying the efforts to find a solution to the customary tensions that underline the Bawku conflict, so that, hopefully, a final resolution of that conflict can be attained, just as it has been attained in Dagbon. Nothing will give me greater pleasure, in the concluding days of my presidency, than to help bring lasting peace to Bawku. “May God grant me the wisdom to achieve that outcome”. He prayed Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com

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UER: Kusasi MPs demands a thorough investigation into what they described as indiscriminate killing of innocent civilians Kusasi MPs
Opinion

UER: Kusasi MPs demands a thorough investigation into what they described as indiscriminate killing of innocent civilians

The Members of Parliament from the Kusasi Traditional Area of Bawku in the Upper East Region have expressed dissatisfaction with what they named as indiscriminate killing of innocent civilians in Bawku Municipality by the military. They however, have called on the government to do a thorough investigation into the unfortunate killings. Addressing the media, MP for Zebilla Mr. Cletus Avoka who happens to be the leader of the group said the killings by the soldiers were unnecessary, and a show of unprofessionalism. The group said, the current measures put in place to resolve the conflict matter in Bawku have failed as he extended calls for more effective means to bring the matter to finality. For publication please kindly contact us on +233256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com

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Queen mothers and women of kusaug traditional area call for justice over the death of Madam Mariama
Opinion

Queen mothers and women of kusaug traditional area call for justice over the death of Madam Mariama

The queen mothers and women of kusaug traditional area in the Bawku Municipality of the Upper East Region have described the murder of Madam Mariama Dauda in sabongari by the Military as unprofessional conduct. Apexnewsgh.com report The statement says, “the Queen Mothers and Women of Kusaug woke up on the morning of 20th December, 2022, with the unfortunate news of the gruesome murder of our sister and daughter, Madam Mariama Dauda by the Military, which sad event occurred around 11:30 pm in her house in Sabongari”. According to them, “The murder of Madam Mariama is a testimony of the unprofessional and inhumane behaviour adopted in the recent past by the current crop of Military personnel stationed in Bawku to protect lives and properties”. Read the full statement below: PRESS CONFERENCE ORGANISED BY THE QUEEN MOTHERS AND WOMEN OF KUSAUG ON THE MURDER OF MADAM MARIAMA DAUDA IN SABONGARI, A SUBURB OF BAWKU, ON THURSDAY,22ND DECEMBER 2022 Ladies and gentlemen of the media, we are so grateful for your timely response to our call even at a very short notice, we indeed appreciate your usual support in getting the world informed and educated on the happenings in Bawku and Kusaug at large in respect of the unprofessional conduct by the military stationed in Bawku. We, the Queen Mothers and Women of Kusaug woke up on the morning of 20th December, 2022, with the unfortunate news of the gruesome murder of our sister and daughter, Madam Mariama Dauda by the Military, which sad event occurred around 11:30 pm in her house in Sabongari. The murder of Madam Mariama is a testimony of the unprofessional and inhumane behaviour adopted in the recent past by the current crop of Military personnel stationed in Bawku to protect lives and properties. These unprofessional soldiers followed her into the house where she lived and shot her in the head by her door for no reason and without any provocation or resistance. Madam Mariama, a 48-year old mother of (4) four children is an ordinary citizen who deserves the same protection and support of the national security. Why then should the military brutally attack and murder her as if she was an armed, or an enemy to the state. She could have been arrested. We wish to call on the Military High Command to critically consider the following questions on the happenings in Bawku regarding the murder of women and children during peace keeping: Are the Military deployed to protect lives and property or the reverse?In conflict and War situations are the Military allowed to kill unarmed citizens? Are women now part of the target group of the Military? Is the curfew effective in Bawku? It will be recalled that the Kusasi old man and his son as well as the three Kusasi men who were murdered by mamprusi gun men on 17th December, 2022, and 19th December, 2022, respectively happened during curfew hours. These questions are relevant because of the current brutalities and murder of women and children in Bawku, which are clear signs of bias and side taking by the Military officers in Bawku. It is now clear the strength of the military is reduced to the murder of the weak and the vulnerable in society. Some few months ago, the same Military went to Zoogo and killed a woman and a 14-year old girl, burnt their properties, shot and killed their animals and were allowed to go unpunished. Again the Military went to Sabongari on 19th December, 2022 during curfew hours and fired warning shots and the entire community fled, upon realizing that the community members had fled, they burnt a Motor Tri-cycle.As if that was not enough, they returned to the same community, Sabongari and murdered madam Mariama. We are calling for the immediate arrest and prosecution of those barbaric and heartless Military personnel, the only way that the women of Bawku will forgive the Military for their wicked and unprofessional act against women.Until this is done, we are determined to use the power of woman, obviously not by arms against the Military in Bawku to ensure that nature will deal with them wherever they go. We are by this press conference making a clarion call on Hon. Ministers for the National Security and Defence to ensure that women are not targets in attempts to maintain peace and security in Bawku to avoid dragging us into the war. We humbly appeal to the Hon. Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection to rise up to our cry for justice. In conclusion we would in the future resist any unprofessional and or deliberate acts by the security against us.Thank you all for the attention God Bless WomenGod Bless our Queen Mothers and ChiefsGod bless Kusaug.God bless Ghana.THANK YOU. Source: Apexnewsgh.comFor publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com

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Bawku Conflict: Inviting the two overlords for a peace talk will stop the killing
Opinion

Bawku Conflict: Inviting the two overlords for a peace talk will stop the killing

Alhaji Sumaila Issaka, the Chairman of the Upper East Regional Peace Council, says inviting the Paramount Chief of the Bawku traditional area Bawku Naba, Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, and the Overlord of the Mamprugu Traditional Area, Naa Bohagu Abdulai Mahami Sheriga in a one on one peace talk by the National Peace Council will bring a lasting solution to the unfortunate killings in Bawku. Apexnewsgh.com report The Regional Peace Council Chairman shared this opinion during an interview with Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen of Apexnewsgh.com on Thursday, December 22, 2022. “The Mampurusis have Nayiri as their overlord, he speaks and what he says is final, the Kusasis have Bakwu Naba as their overlord when he speaks whatever he says is final. I think should be able to get these two for the National Peace Council to sit them down. You see, what I have also noticed is that there are some particular persons in both palaces what they say is also final, they kind of speak for the two chiefs. Whatever, Bawku Naba said, there are certain persons in there who must have spoken to him earlier, and the same in Nayiri Palace. That’s my opinion though”. He stressed He further said, “Even though I know they are fixed with their decisions, I mean where they want to go, if we get them to sit down, I know certain facilitators that can work on them for them to see reasons why people are dying in Bawku. Maybe just because is not affecting them directly by their own children they are not seeing anything wrong with that. And if we are able to work on the two chiefs or kings with these two major speakers and some youth leaders that is where we will get the issue”. Making reference to the earlier invites of the two overlords by the President, He said “There was a saying that President Nana Akufo-Addo invited the two overlords sometime back and had discussions with them separately. Now, we are not privy to what was discussed, because whatever we are going to say now is hearsay because of the reaction after that particular meeting. Background The first main conflict among the two ethnic groups in Bawku, the Kusasis and the Mamprusis, over who was the rightful custodian of the area erupted in 1983 during the Samanpiid Festival celebrated by the Kusasis to signify a bumper harvest. In 1984, the conflict re-ignited again, that time over the ownership of farmlands. Subsequent conflicts occurred in 1985 during the Samanpiid, in 2000 during the general election, and in 2001 and 2007, also during the festival. Aside from these major conflicts, there have also been pockets of deadly skirmishes between the two factions over the years. The disturbances have led to the loss of lives and properties, while many people have sustained varying degrees of injury in the process. The Bawku Inter-Ethnic Peace Committee (IEPC), comprising Kusasis and Mamprusis, was inaugurated in 2009 to work towards the restoration of peace to Bawku. The IEPC was charged with the responsibility of opening up genuine, constructive, and effective dialogue among all the people of Bawku, especially the major protagonists in the conflict. Even though the committee became dormant for some years, it was reconstituted in 2015. Meanwhile, the area continues to witness some continuous sporadic disturbances, with the latest incident occurring this month and leading to the loss of lives and property. Source: Apexnewsgh.comFor publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com

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Damba & Samanpiid Festival: Wear your smocks only on the day of the celebration – REGSEC
Opinion

Damba & Samanpiid Festival: Wear your smocks only on the day of the celebration – REGSEC

According to a statement sighted by Apexnewsgh.com, REGSEC has issued an important warning ahead of the upcoming Damba festival which is schedule to be celebrated on Saturday November 5, 2022. The statement says: “The wearing of smocks be lifted only on the day of celebration. In the case of the Mamprusis, only Damba day schedule on Saturday 5th November 2022” Read full statement below TEMPORARY LEFTING OF BAN ON WEARING OF SMOCKS FOR FESTIVAL CELEBRATION. At its meeting held on Monday 31st October 2022, REGSEC deliberated on the impending festival celebration by the two faction in Bawku Municipality and decided on the following, That the wearing of smocks be lifted only on the day of celebration. In the case of the Mamprusis, only Damba day schedule on Saturday 5th November 2022. In the case of the Samanpiid been celebrated by the chiefs and people of the Kusaug Traditional area, only the Samanpiid day will they be allowed their smock. 2: REGSEC took into account the significance of smock in the celebration of these Festival. 3:the two feuding faction are how ever been causiond to be of good behavior and are been entreated to abide by laws and celebrate the festival devoid of rancor and acrimony. Thank you . THE CHAIRMANMUSECBAWKU MUNICIPALITY ASSEMBLY Cc. The Zugran Bawku NaabaBawku placeThe Chairman damba planning committee Natinga .The Media Upper East. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com

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BREAKING NEWS: Happenings in Bawku today…
Opinion, Politics

BREAKING NEWS: Happenings in Bawku today…

Information reaching Apexnewsgh.com has it that curfew in Bawku Municipality has been reviewed. “Government calls on Chiefs, Elders, Opinion Leaders, Youth and people of the area to exercise restraint in the face of the challenges confronting them as well as to use non-violent means to channel their energies into ensuring peace”. REVIEW OF CURFEW ON BAWKU MUNICIPALITY AND ITS ENVIRONS IN THE UPPER EAST REGIONOct 19, 2022 The Minister for the Interior has on advise of the Upper East Regional Security Council and by Executive Instrument reviewed the curfew hours imposed on Bawku Municipality and its environs in the Upper East Region from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am to 8:00pm to 5:00am effective Wednesday, October 19, 2022. Government calls on Chiefs, Elders, Opinion Leaders, Youth and people of the area to exercise restraint in the face of the challenges confronting them as well as to use non-violent means to channel their energies into ensuring peace. Meanwhile, there is a total ban on all persons in the afore-mentioned communities and their environs from carrying arms, ammunition or any offensive weapon and any persons found with any arms or ammunition will be arrested and prosecuted. Signed AMBROSE DERY (MP) MINISTER FOR THE INTERIOR Issued in Accra this Wednesday, October 19, 2022 Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email: apexnewsgh@gmail.com

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Breaking News: Yellow yellow ban lifted in Bawku
Business

Breaking News: Yellow yellow ban lifted in Bawku

The statement says, following appeals by mostly Public Sector Workers on the difficulties they face commuting to their work places as a result of the temporary ban on the use of tricycles (yellow yellow), REGSEC at its meeting held on Tuesday 18th October, 2022 decided on the following; Apexnewsgh.com report A statement sighted by this platform, dated 20th September, 2022, and signed by the Upper East Regional Coordinator Inusah Abubakari Alhaji on behalf of the Regional Minister, REGSEC reviewed the security situation in Bawku following the unstoppable fight which includes the ban of tricycles popularly known as yellow yellow. Read the full statement below: Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email: apexnewsgh@gmail.com

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Bawku Conflict: Aziz Adam Kobilla appeals to Bawku youth to embrace peace
Opinion

Bawku Conflict: Aziz Adam Kobilla appeals to Bawku youth to embrace peace

Aziz Adam Kobilla a member of the regional communication team of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Upper East Region has added his peace of advice for the youth of Bawku to embrace peace following the ongoing conflict in the area. Speaking on Apexnews Ghana’s flagship programme dubbed “SPEAK OUT UPPER EAST” on Monday, October 4, 2022, Mr. Aziz Kobilla registered some amount of displeasure with the ongoing conflict in the area. He said: “I don’t think we the youth should carry arms against each other simply because somebody is saying am the legitimate chief and another person is saying am the legitimate chief” Mr. Aziz Kobilla, whose advice was targeted on the youth to bury their difference. “Let me use one last opportunity to plead with my people in Bawku to let peace prevail in the area. Mamprusis and Kusasis have lived together for many years and there has never been any issue. Even before the colonial era, there have not been a war in Bawku because Kusasis and Mamprusis were together, they were living in harmony, and they intermarry. So, I don’t know what devil has come into this. If elder 1 is fighting for chieftaincy, elder 2 is fighting for chieftaincy, I don’t think we the youth should carry arms against each other simply because somebody is saying am the legitimate chief and another person is saying am the legitimate chief. No, it has nothing to do with guns and I don’t think they are carrying the chieftaincy to our house No”. He stressed According to him, the youth who allowed themselves to continue to be used in fueling the conflict should know that there is no need of wasting any more lives. “We those who are been used to fuel this conflict, some of us are not even anywhere near close to chieftaincy or whatever. So, when you sit and reflect, you will it did not worth it for us to be wasting our lives the way they are doing”. “So, I want to call on the youth, because so far, is not the elders that are fighting with the guns, is the youth and for that matter, I want to beg on them, we need them, they are the future generation, we are the future generation. So, if we waste our lives, these our elders we don’t expect them to live for so long, it means we are wiping our entire generations off”. He pleaded Source: Apexnewsgh.com|Ghana For publication please kindly contact us 0256336062 or Email: apexnewsgh@gmail.com

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JUST IN: Bawku conflict: No more Mahama Cando in Bawku till further notice—REGSEC
Opinion, Politics

JUST IN: Bawku conflict: No more Mahama Cando in Bawku till further notice—REGSEC

In a statement sighted by this platform, dated 20th September, 2022, and signed by the Upper East Regional Coordinator Inusah Abubakari Alhaji on behalf of the Regional Minister, REGSEC has reviewed the security situation in Bawku following the unstoppable fight. Apexnewsgh.com report Below is the security review: The statement says, At its emergency meeting held on Monday 19th September, 2022 following renewed fighting in Bawku, REGSEC reviewed the security situation and hereby reviewed on the following; The police, Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) and the Military are allowed to use official motor bikes between 6:00am to 6:00pm. Temporal ban on “yellow yellow” operations until further notice. Curfew hours to cover Nayoka, Kpalgu and MangaPlease ensure strict compliance. Source: Apexnewsgh.com|Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen|Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email: apexnewsgh@gmail.com

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