The Bawku Naaba, Asigri Apurago AzokeII
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1st November, 2011
Fragile Peace In Bawku
THE fragile peace that the Chiefs and people of the Bawku Traditional Area had been enjoying after several years of ethnic conflict is under threat.
This followed an order by Naa Bohagu Sheriga, paramount Chief of the Mamprusi Traditional Area in the Northern Region to Mamprusis in Bawku to perform the final funeral rites of the late Mamprusi Chief in Bawku, Alhaji Adam Zangbeo, who died over thirty years ago.
The Bawku Naaba, Asigri Apurago AzokeII, broke this news to Members of the Council of State who were in the region on a two-day visit.
The twenty-one members of the council led by its Chairman, Professor Kofi Awoonor, arrived in the region last Friday on what was described as “getting to the people on the ground to know their challenges.
During an interaction on Saturday with the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs, the Bawku Naaba warned that “The conflict between the Kusasis and Mamprusis was far from over" and urged the council to intervene if the peace would be retained.
He told the members of the council that the Nagiri, in the letter to the Bawku Police Command, requested protection for Mamprusis in Bawku as they performed the final funeral rities of the late Alhaji Adam Zangbeo on November 28, this year.
Alhaji Zangbeo’s enskinment was nullified by the PNDC whilst the issue of Bawku Naaba travelled up to the Supreme Court where judgement was given in favour of the Kusasis.
He explained that during the conflict, the authorities requested documentation on the claims and counterclaims from both factions.
Conceding that though government does not interfere in chieftaincy affairs, they were expecting the authorities to come out and settle the issue once and for all.
Consequently, he called on members of the council to intervene for a definite pronouncement on the issue to be made by the appropriate authorities.
Professor Kofi Awoonor in his remarks said the focus of their visit, which had taken them to four regions already was to solidarise with the people and listen to their challenges since they cannot advice the President sitting in Accra.
“We are aware that chieftaincy constitutes a major cornerstone of our democracy and we urge you to play your roles effectively especially in resolving chieftaincy disputes,” he said.
Mr. Mark Woyongo, Upper East Regional Minister assured the chiefs that government’s Better Ghana Agenda was on course as the region was receiving its share of development.
Naape Asigri Bewong, Paramount Chief of the Sekoutey traditional area, who stood in for the President of the House, expressed his appreciation to Members of the Council for being the first to embark on such regional tours.
He appealed to them to assist the house to refurbish the regional house of chiefs building which was in a state of disrepair and also requested for a means of transport for its members.
During an open forum the chiefs, among other things, urged the council to intervene in mending the strained relationship between Ex-President Rawlings and President John Evans Atta Mills and the Fulani herdsmen menace in the country.
Members of the Council had earlier interacted with heads of departments, ministries, municipal and district chief executives in the region and later an open forum with the general public.
This followed an order by Naa Bohagu Sheriga, paramount Chief of the Mamprusi Traditional Area in the Northern Region to Mamprusis in Bawku to perform the final funeral rites of the late Mamprusi Chief in Bawku, Alhaji Adam Zangbeo, who died over thirty years ago.
The Bawku Naaba, Asigri Apurago AzokeII, broke this news to Members of the Council of State who were in the region on a two-day visit.
The twenty-one members of the council led by its Chairman, Professor Kofi Awoonor, arrived in the region last Friday on what was described as “getting to the people on the ground to know their challenges.
During an interaction on Saturday with the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs, the Bawku Naaba warned that “The conflict between the Kusasis and Mamprusis was far from over" and urged the council to intervene if the peace would be retained.
He told the members of the council that the Nagiri, in the letter to the Bawku Police Command, requested protection for Mamprusis in Bawku as they performed the final funeral rities of the late Alhaji Adam Zangbeo on November 28, this year.
Alhaji Zangbeo’s enskinment was nullified by the PNDC whilst the issue of Bawku Naaba travelled up to the Supreme Court where judgement was given in favour of the Kusasis.
He explained that during the conflict, the authorities requested documentation on the claims and counterclaims from both factions.
Conceding that though government does not interfere in chieftaincy affairs, they were expecting the authorities to come out and settle the issue once and for all.
Consequently, he called on members of the council to intervene for a definite pronouncement on the issue to be made by the appropriate authorities.
Professor Kofi Awoonor in his remarks said the focus of their visit, which had taken them to four regions already was to solidarise with the people and listen to their challenges since they cannot advice the President sitting in Accra.
“We are aware that chieftaincy constitutes a major cornerstone of our democracy and we urge you to play your roles effectively especially in resolving chieftaincy disputes,” he said.
Mr. Mark Woyongo, Upper East Regional Minister assured the chiefs that government’s Better Ghana Agenda was on course as the region was receiving its share of development.
Naape Asigri Bewong, Paramount Chief of the Sekoutey traditional area, who stood in for the President of the House, expressed his appreciation to Members of the Council for being the first to embark on such regional tours.
He appealed to them to assist the house to refurbish the regional house of chiefs building which was in a state of disrepair and also requested for a means of transport for its members.
During an open forum the chiefs, among other things, urged the council to intervene in mending the strained relationship between Ex-President Rawlings and President John Evans Atta Mills and the Fulani herdsmen menace in the country.
Members of the Council had earlier interacted with heads of departments, ministries, municipal and district chief executives in the region and later an open forum with the general public.
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