The Youth in Bawku, mainly Kusasis and Mamprusis at a forum organized by Global Youth Network Foundation (GYNF) on Wednesday appealed to
President Mills to release their brothers who have been detained in prison due to their alleged participation in the ethnic conflict in the area.
They noted that they had been working conscientiously together for peace in the area under the effort of the Global Youth Network Foundation and recognized the vital role they played to complement the efforts of the various stakeholders to sustain peace in Bawku.
They stated that an action plan had been drawn up for implementation to galvanize the energies of all young people in Bawku to re-channel them into productive ventures, and in
particular to work towards the sustenance of the relative peace currently being enjoyed in the area.
The youth said they were committed to working with other ethnic groups in the area to secure sustainable peace and work towards the re-branding and projecting of the Bawku town and its people in a positive light to the wider Ghanaian society and the world at large.
They noted, however, that the continued detention of their sons, brothers, husbands and fathers in prison was undermining the efforts of residents to work for sustainable peace in the area.
“ We therefore wish to passionately appeal for your assistance to facilitate the immediate release of all our brothers who are being held in custody to enable us to reunite with them as part of efforts to promote peace and unity”, they said.
Mr. Titus Jawol Bisunna, Chief Executive Officer for GYNF noted that as the election year approached there was the need to give peace a chance so that Ghana would not emulate what was
happening in La Cote d’ivoire.
He indicated that if Ghana was to maintain its peaceful status, she would become a role model to countries in the sub-region.
Mr. Bisunna said looking at the honour accorded Ghana by other countries in terms of peace and stability, there was need for the people of Bawku to embrace peace in their communities, stressing that peace was the foundation of national development.
Mr. David Adoliba, Assemblyman for Gingande electoral area in Bawku called on the youth not to allow themselves to be used as tools of war by mischievous persons, but should think about securing their future.
He appealed to the people of Bawku to cultivate the spirit of forgiveness, put the past behind them and pursue the development of the area which had been derailed by protracted conflict.
Mr. Alhassan Suleman Danladi, Executive Director for Rural Care Foundation and a member of Permanent Peace Committee at Yendi in the Northern Rregion, asked the youth to see themselves first and foremost as Ghanaians.
Mr. Danladi indicated that the major problems causing conflicts in the three northern regions were land and chieftaincy,and called on Government to resolve those problems so the
people could once again enjoy the benefits of sustainable peace and development.