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The Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Atanga Akamugri, has urged a renewed commitment to tackle the lingering chieftaincy dispute in Bawku to bring peace and development to the area.
Despite indicating the government’s strong desire to ensure that the impasse is brought under control, he tasked all illustrious stakeholders, including traditional leaders, security, media, youth, and political actors, to prioritize ending the Bawku conflict.
Mr. Akamugri made the call at the palace of the Paramount Chief of the Bawku Traditional Area, Zug-Raan Abugrago Asigri Azorka II, in Bawku of the Upper East Region.
He stated that one of the main tasks he was given after assuming the role of regional minister was to bring peace back to Bawku and the surrounding area.
Mr. Atanga highlighted the need for duty bearers and venerated stakeholders, especially the security personnel, to be impartial as they went about exploring avenues to help the government restore permanent calm to the conflict-torn community.
He, however, stated Bawku was a business hub, and the conflict had not only affected the people in the area, but it had also had a steep toll on the local economy of the entire region.
“Upper East is suffering from economic hardship because of the Bawku impasse. Bawku is known to be a vibrant business town, and if Bawku were peaceful, the whole region would have been affected positively. I plead with the people to let bygones be bygones”, Mr. Atanga appealed.
He noted the spillover of the Bawku conflict had exacerbated the insecurity situation in the region and asked the youth to soften their stance and allow peace to reign in their hearts.
The minister reiterated his desire to run an open-door administration and that he would always welcome people with diverse views for the development of the region.
Mr Atanga urged the people not to hesitate to bring forth their concerns to him.
He said, “I need your support and cooperation as I take over the leadership role as regional minister. I know with collective efforts, we are going to bring the needed development to the people of the Upper East, and we cannot afford to fail.”
Mr. Akamugri pledged to live up to the expectations of the people, adding that he had “an aggressive agenda” to implement the policies and programs of the John Dramani Mahama-led government.
The Bawku Naba, Zug-Raan Naba Azorka, pledged to support the government in succeeding in its plans to undertake massive developmental projects in the region.
At Sakoti in the Nabdam District, the Paramount Chief of the Sakoti Traditional Area, Naba Sigri Bewong, asked the minister to always count on him towards the development of the region.
He called on the government to ensure equitable development, stating that the district was deprived and that the government must act immediately to address the issue at hand.
He urged the government to ensure even development, saying the district was deprived and there was the urgent need for the government to intervene in that direction.
The minister concluded his first-day courtesy visit to the Nangodi Traditional Area by promising to collaborate with chief in order to ensure development.
FROM FRANCIS DABRE DABANG, BAWKU
