According to Regional Security Council (REGSEC) all persons living in Bawku were banned with immediate effect on 23rd November 2021 not to wear their normal traditional smock attire due to a perceived conflict in the area.
The statement also advised all persons living in Bawku Township to take note of the directive and comply until further notice.
Municipal (MUSEC) was to ensure that the directive is enforced and anyone who fails to comply should be dealt with accordingly.
The statement was signed by the father of the region, the Upper East Regional Minister Stephen Yakubu.
REACTIONS
Even though there has been some level mixed reactions or different opinions from the people of Bawku regarding the ban on smock wearing, the majority of the people who spoke to Apexnewsgh.com still believes the decision by the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) stands tall as far as maintaining peace and preventing impending conflict is concerned in the area.
However, below are some of the accumulated views gathered from the people of Bawku following the ban on smock wearing in the area:
“I think most of the people are now used to it due to how people themselves are in need of peace. Anything the law enforcement agencies are bringing to maintain the peace, we will all abide by that. For that purpose, the ban on smock-wearing is normal currently. For now, there are no festivals that require the mandatory wearing of smock”.
“Because of our tradition here in the northern Upper East or Bawku for instance, when there is any festival people will be compelled to wear a smock, for example, the Damba festival, people will be compelled to wear smock because is their tradition. Wearing of smock shows their culture, the Samapiid festival, people will indeed wear a smock to showcase their tradition, the “Bud Yelle festival, people will like to wear a smock, the Zezula festival, people of Bawku will like to wear a smock to showcase their tradition. Normally, we up north here smock is our tradition especially when there is a festival”. They stressed
“So, because there is no immediate festival and the only one approaching is the Samapiid festival on December 29, 2021”.
So for now, people are complying with the directive by the law enforcement agency.
In the past, during the high heated conflict era in Bawku in the year 2001, 2007, 2008 and 2009, people used to put guns in them and cover them with a smock. So, because of that, they can ride motor to go and perpetuate violence. So, because of that and based on security intelligence, they realized that banning the smock will yield a very good result”. They explained
Some other views we gathered also acknowledge the ban compliance in the area, hence making an interesting observation.
However, we observed that the people of Bakwu after the smock ban switched to wearing Muslim Zalabia which is even longer than the smock itself.
“They are complying, especially the market day people use to wear a smock and other things but, because of the ban on smock wearing, they are now wearing the Batikili or if like the Muslim Zalabia. They should have banned them from wearing a long dress too, because if they suspect the people putting guns inside the smock, what about the Muslim long Zalabia? Because that one is even longer than smock, with that one if you put something inside, no one will even notice it”.
However, there are also views of anticipation that the REGSEC might consider lifting the ban for the celebration of the Samapiid festival which is scheduled to take place on December 29, 2021.
According to residents, they are still wondering how the prestigious festival will be celebrated without people showcasing their tradition by way of wearing a traditional smock.
Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana
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