Members of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference have expressed deep concern about the deteriorating security situation in the Bawku area in the Upper east Region which had resulted in some deaths and injuries.
“We, the members of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC), are saddened by recent developments in Bawku leading to the death of 15 peoples and other people sustaining varied degrees of injuries,” the Bishops said at a Press Conference on February 9, 2023.
Addressing the media at the National Catholic Secretariat, the Most Rev. Matthew Gyamfi, President of the GCBC said “We have keenly followed and monitored, over the years, the protracted conflict between the Kusasis and Mamprusis that has resulted in the loss of precious lives and the wanton destruction of property.”
“This lingering conflict is gradually turning Bawku into a ghost town,” he added.
In some of their Communiques issued in the past, including the latest issued at the end of our Plenary Assembly held in Donkorkrom in November 2022, the Bishops made a passionate appeal to Government and the people of Bawku in the words: “It appears the conflict and insecurity in Bawku are gradually getting off the radar of Government. The town has become a pale shadow of itself as Education, Health and Social services delivery is adversely affected by the exodus of teachers, nurses and business people from the town. Government needs to pay attention to the plight of the remnant residents of the town by ensuring that lasting solution is found to the conflict in the area and should act swiftly to prevent Bawku and its environs from becoming a possible launching pad for terrorist groups operating in neighbouring countries”.
The Ghanaian Bishops appealed to Government, as a matter of urgency, to use all the resources at its disposal to ensure that a lasting solution is found to the protracted conflict in Bawku.
“The situation of insecurity in Bawku and its environs is further compounded by the recent influx of refugees from Burkina Faso into the area thus putting further pressure on the already impoverished and beleaguered communities welcoming these refugees seeking a safe haven,” they expressed worry.
This influx, the Bishops noted, could become a breeding ground for the infiltration of terrorist groups operating in neighbouring countries, and called on Government and most especially State institutions mandated to deal with migrants and displaced people “to step up their humanitarian response to the situation in and around Bawku to avert further suffering inflicted on the population of the area.”
“We urge the Government to empower the National Security apparatus to ensure the non-infiltration of terrorist groups into the country,” they appealed.
They also call on the security personnel to be more professional and circumspect in the discharge of their duties and be measured in the use of their firearms so as not to kill innocent people.
“We also urge them to desist from some of the inhumane treatment and brutalities being meted out to innocent citizens of Bawku. At all cost, we must avoid actions that will result in reprisal effects from aggrieved people,” stated the Bishops.
The Prelates of Ghana commended the efforts of the National and Regional Peace Councils and other participants who were working feverishly to find a lasting solution to the Bawku conflict and urge them to continue to engage the parties in the conflict.
The Bishops appealed to the factions involved in the Bawku conflict, as well as all other stakeholders, such as the traditional leaders, faith groups, print and electronic media, natives and non-indigenes, political party groups and the international community to do everything possible to help the process of peace-building for the sake of our brothers and sisters in Bawku area and for the peace of Ghana.
By Newswatchgh.com
