The Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Akamugri Atanga, has appealed to religious leaders to step up their spiritual and community engagements to help restore peace in conflict-prone Bawku.

He stressed that the Church and other faith-based groups have a crucial role to play in peacebuilding and can complement government’s efforts to end the long-standing crisis.

Speaking during a courtesy call by the Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, His Excellency Rev. Julien Kabore, as part of his tour of the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocese, on Monday, August 18, 2025, Mr. Atanga said religious leaders wield greater moral authority than politicians in conflict mediation.

“Our people respect religious leaders. Their perception is that they are not biased. So, they are sending message to them, they take it in more than when you are a politician.

“Because you are a politician, they feel that you have some interest in another area, and when you are talking, they do not see you as someone who is speaking the truth, he explained

The Minister therefore called on faith-based leaders to use both their influence and prayers to encourage unity and reconciliation.