Rescind your decision and come to the negotiating table: Bawku MCE cries

Narration: The Bawku Municipal Chief Executive, Musa Abdullai has described as regrettable the withdrawal of the Mamprusi side of the Bawku Inter ethnic Peace Committee due to a misunderstanding which he said could only be resolved within the group. In a press briefing held at Bawku, Mr. Abdullai disclosed that the conflict in Bawku coupled with the declaration of the curfew and ban on motor bike riding by males had greatly affected both economic and social life of the people and called on residents to refrain from negativities that could disturb the peace process in the area. He therefore called on the media to as a matter of concern use their medium to appeal to the Mamprusi side of the committee to rescind their decision and come back to the negotiating table for absolute peace to be restored. Here is a report by Isaac Asare
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Report

Addressing the media, the Bawku MCE, Musa Abdullai disclosed that the policy of government as part of its effort in executing its “Better Ghana” agenda is to work tirelessly to reverse the declining economy, the wailing social infrastructure and to bring peace, prosperity, and discipline into the life of the people, hence the need to desist from activities that could distract the said objective. On the state of security in Bawku, Mr Abdullai said efforts by government and relevant stakeholders has ensured relative peace in the area, but was quick to condemn the decision of the Mamprusi faction for their withdrawal in the peace process and express the hope that much effort would be made to ensure their return. According to him such petty squabbles justify the continues curfew and ban on motor bike riding by males which he said has in a way affected business activities as well as the social life of the people. He added that with peace improving, efforts are underway to better the lives of the people, stressing that the area has achieved tremendous development in the area of revenue mobilization despite the conflict. Mr. Abdullai pointed out that the area has for the past two years exceeded its revenue base as against the projected revenue targets set by the assembly and attributed the success story to a number of prudent measures instituted by the assembly. To him, the area could achieve more success only if the current peace enjoyed by the people is sustained with the Mamprusi faction returning to the peace process. Other sectors of the economy, he indicated have experienced remarkable growth and development due to support from the government and other interventional key stakeholders. Mr. Abdullai acknowledged the enormous contribution of the various stakeholders including BEWDA, the Upper East Caucus of Members of Parliament, and the West African Network for Peace (WANEP) the media, as well as members of the Inter Ethnic peace committee for ensuring the prevailing peace in Bawku. Current security situation in Bawku, he noted is commendable and appealed to residents to desist from negativities that could undermine the relative stability in the area. Fuel smuggling, he said, has decreased tremendously due to the ban on motor bike riding by males and thanked the security forces for their efforts. During question time, the media were particularly concerned about the illegal settlement of squatters along the border post of Ghana and Burkina Faso and called on the MCE and the authorities concern to act swiftly in dealing with the situation since their stay poses security threat. In response, the MCE urged to the media to exercise restraint since his outfit and the security agencies are on top of the issue and are initiating moves to deal with the perpetrators.

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