On February 3 2011, Joyfm published a documentary entitled
the "Bawku Blood Vows" on its website. Like many others, the idea that relative peace is returning to Bawku was particularly heartwarming. Listening to the Seth Kwame Boateng's documentary, I believe the chiefs, opinion leaders and people of Bawku have so ably demonstrated their desire towards building a peaceful and prosperous community. Find link below.
Let me congratulate government and people for inspiringly setting up the Bawku Peace Council and resourcing it to work effectively and efficiently. The West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) and its key partners equally deserve commendation for playing a leading role towards peacebuilding in Bawku. Together with the people of Bawku, I say "ayekoo". Having drawn these lines, may I expressly indicate that initiatives for educational advancement and innovation in generating employment opportunities needs urgent attention.
There is no gainsaying that the war in Bawku has visited the people with unmitigated hardships and the people need much support. In a critical sense, the youth in Bawku is currently facing serious problem of unemployment and the volatility of the area makes is a matter of concern. I wish to reiterate the call by the Upper East Regional Minister that creating job opportunities for the youth is an important approach to addressing the perennial war in Bawku. Although I agree with Mr Kwaku Boadu-Peprah, the Bawku District Police Commander that lasting peace can only be achieved if the people of Bawku embrace it.
There is no gainsaying that the war in Bawku has visited the people with unmitigated hardships and the people need much support. In a critical sense, the youth in Bawku is currently facing serious problem of unemployment and the volatility of the area makes is a matter of concern. I wish to reiterate the call by the Upper East Regional Minister that creating job opportunities for the youth is an important approach to addressing the perennial war in Bawku. Although I agree with Mr Kwaku Boadu-Peprah, the Bawku District Police Commander that lasting peace can only be achieved if the people of Bawku embrace it.
In this regard, I encourage the people of Bawku, peace-brokers and other stakeholders working to achieve lasting peace in the area to strengthen conversations that promote job creation for youth. Providing microfinance opportunities, constructing dams and rehabilitating of feeder roads will largely redirect the energy of the youth towards securing gainful employment.
In addition, the Financial Institutions (FIs) can provide loans on more flexible terms to support agribusinesses and encourage business innovation in the area. Promoting income generation activities will have stimulative effects on the local economy and help the Municipality regain its accolade as a commercial hub of the Upper East Region, Ghana.
The declining quality of education in Bawku equally deserves attention. Addressing the Brong Ahafo Students Union (BASU) Central Executive Committee meeting at the University for Development studies in Tamale, the B/A Regional Minister, Hon Nyamekye Marfo stated that "education was the major priority of the government and within two years in power the NDC had initiated a number of interventions and budgetary support to improve the educational sector" (reported on Citifmonline, February 6th 2011), but it is common knowledge that the internecine conflict has seriously affected the positive effects of such interventions in Bawku.
As relative peace is restored, corporate Ghana, government and its development partners need to direct efforts towards motivating teachers to accept postings to Bawku. Considering to dangers teachers go through, allocating or increasing risk allowances, cutting back the number of years serve before qualifying for further studies can potentially serve as incentives and attract trained teachers to the area. Inaddition, chiefs and opinion leaders should be obligated to safeguard the safety of teachers posted to their communities.
As relative peace is restored, corporate Ghana, government and its development partners need to direct efforts towards motivating teachers to accept postings to Bawku. Considering to dangers teachers go through, allocating or increasing risk allowances, cutting back the number of years serve before qualifying for further studies can potentially serve as incentives and attract trained teachers to the area. Inaddition, chiefs and opinion leaders should be obligated to safeguard the safety of teachers posted to their communities.
Government alone may be incapable of providing the needed infrastructure for development. This leaves much room for the wealthy, corporate entities/individuals and development partners to intervene. It is refreshing to know that the United Nations is about to introduce economic programs in the Bawku area. The African Development Bank and World Bank can possibly consider increasing its financing for the provision of educational and health care infrastructure in Bawku.
It is important that the people of Bawku continuously understand that peace is not a quality that one wishes to have. Rather, it is borne out of one's deliberate desire to have it and to share with others. In short it is a two-way affair. As such, Kusasis and Mamprusis need to sit together as one people with a common destiny to discuss their differences and aim at fighting poverty which is the common enemy. Under the umbrella of the Bawku Students Union, the youth can be mobilized for dialogue. WANEP is already working with youth leaders and building consultations that fosters peaceful coexistence and this should be kept. Similar engagements for women and other tribes in Bawku should be strengthened and encouraged.
In conclusion, it is well known that war is not the solution for addressing misunderstandings or disagreements. At best it is a kind of mowing machine that mows the 'unguarded grass' (vulnerable members of the society) and cannot be used as an instrument for settling disagreements. We need to follow the wisdom that to jaw jaw is better than to war war!For war is ultimately and absolutely not beneficial to anybody, even to the victor.
