‘Let the guns go silent’ Woyongo decries

18-01-2013    

Factions involved in the protracted Bawku conflict had been cautioned to let the guns go silent so as not to allow unscrupulous and disgruntled persons to take advantage of the situation to perpetuate violence. Reacting to the recent shooting incident in Bawku resulting in the death of one person and injuring several others, the outgoing Regional Minister and the MP elect for Navrongo Central, Mark Woyongo said Monday’s incident was not in any way connected to the popular Bawku ethnic conflict but rather a criminal act dastardly committed to undermine the effort of peace building in the area. Mr Woyongo publicly condemned the attack and assured the public that the security is working around the clock to fish out the perpetrators of the heinous crime. Mr Woyongo who was speaking at an emergency meeting of stakeholders and REGSEC in Bawku, however warned that those found culpable of the act will find themselves at the wrong side of the law. The meeting involving representatives of the two factions including the minority group was conveyed to fashion out remedies to the incessant reprisal attacks in Bawku and subsequently chart the way forward in boosting security in the area. Mr Woyongo observed that majority of the people in Bawku are in possession of illegal arms, stressing that with the least provocation, such people take up these deadly weapons to commit crime. To this end, the Regional Security Council in connection with the Bawku Municipal Assembly has instituted a reward package of GHc3,000 for persons that relay reliable information leading to the seizure and recovery of any illegal and offensive weapons to the police. Relatively, persons that voluntarily hand over their arms and ammunitions to the security would also be entitled to the same amount. Mr Woyongo assured the public that any information given to the police would be confidentially handled to ensure the safety of the informant. During an open forum, issue of constant dialogue, accurate reportage, and justice were considered as some of the strategies necessary to put an end to the unnecessary retaliatory attacks in Bawku. The Bawku MCE, Musa Abdullai in his closing remark urged the people of Bawku to remain calm whilst the police take step to avert such unfortunate incident in the future. He entreated the people to help expose criminals from their hide outs since they pose a serious threat to security in Bawku. Mr Woyongo in the company of REGSEC members took turns to visit and sympathize with the family of Faisal Awudu, the 21 year old footballer who lost his life in the recent attack.

GBC                                                          END                                                           IA/