21-11-12
As part of
its contribution to national peace building, World Vision Ghana (WV), a faith
based humanitarian NGO, has organized a peace forum in Bawku involving religious
and community leaders to demonstrate the essence of peace in the build up to
the December general election. Also present were some selected Junior High Schools
including personnel from the NCCE and the various security agencies among a cross
section of the public. In an opening address read on his behalf, the Zug-ran
Bawku Naba, Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka demonstrated the need for peace before,
during and after the 2012 elections. He said Bawku as one of the economic
viable areas of the country, has for years sold its dignity to violent conflict
and has since suffered the consequences as a result. He said though the area is
currently enjoying relative peace, economic and social activities have dwindled
as traders fear to engage the people in their trading activities. This, he
noted, has affected the pace of development causing most residents to travel
far and near to safeguard their lives and properties. In the educational arena,
BECE results collated for the past two years clearly shows that the conflict
has taken a toll on academic performance of students. The Spokesperson for Naba
Abugrago Azoka, Mr Thomas Abilla said considering the relative peace being
enjoyed by the people, development was picking up, emphasizing that people are
tired of the conflict and were committed to the current peace process. Mr
Abilla therefore encouraged residents of Bawku to sustain the peace and
cooperate with the security agencies as the country gears up for the upcoming
December polls. He said with discipline and tolerance the area was poised to
ensuring a peaceful electoral process devoid of violent behaviours. The youth,
he observed are responsible for determining the future of the area. He moreover
advised the youth to exercise high sense of decorum and firmness in their
decision and not allow themselves to be used as elements for violence.. He thanked
the various religious institutions for demonstrating true commitment to peace
in Bawku, and urged others to emulate their shining examples. Speaking on her behalf, the Operations Based
Team Manager of World Vision, Benedicta Pealore encouraged the people of Bawku
to cultivate the culture of peace in order to allow accelerate the pace of development
in the area. She said though the upcoming
election is characterized with tension, Ghanaians with one accord, can once
again prove to the world that it was capable of exercising a violent free
election. There were peace messages from Abdulai Wasila
of Methodist JHS and Issahaku Hadi of Mother Theresa Educational centre hammering
on the essence of peace in the forthcoming elections.
GBC END IA/
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