Over 300 lives lost in Bawku conflict - Universal Friendship Organisation calls for peace

The Universal Friendship Organisation (UFO) has called for immediate and collective action to resolve the protracted conflict in Bawku, which it says has claimed more than 300 lives since November 2021 and turned the area into a “ghost town.”

In a statement issued Monday, the Organisation urged government, traditional councils, security agencies, the Peace Council, and the Muslim community to urgently intervene to restore peace and stability in the conflict-ridden municipality.

“The nagging dispute between the Kusasis and Mamprusis is eroding all the gains chalked up by the municipality over the years,” the statement said.

The group expressed deep concern over the limited interest shown by peace advocacy organisations, especially those active during national elections, in promoting peace in chieftaincy-related conflicts like Bawku’s.

“We are disappointed that peace advocacy groups… have not shown sufficient interest in promoting peace in chieftaincy matters,” the Organisation lamented, urging them to show more commitment to peacebuilding where it matters most.

The ongoing violence, UFO noted, has had far-reaching consequences, devastating the local economy, uprooting communities, threatening national security, and stalling development efforts.

To address the crisis, the Universal Friendship Organisation proposed a five-point strategy:

Inclusive Stakeholder Dialogue: Engage traditional leaders, community members, and security agencies in a comprehensive dialogue.
Conflict Resolution Mechanisms: Establish robust mediation and arbitration frameworks to manage tensions.
Grassroots Engagement: Work directly with the community to tackle root causes and foster mutual understanding.
Enhanced Security: Deploy effective security measures to protect lives and restore order.
International Assistance: Invite support from global peacebuilding bodies like the United Nations for technical guidance and mediation.

The Organisation concluded with a plea for unity and decisive leadership.

“We believe that collective action and a commitment to peacebuilding can help resolve the ongoing Bawku conflict,” it said.