 flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has strongly condemned the politicisation of the protracted Bawku conflict, describing it as an unfortunate trend that undermines efforts toward peace and stability in the Upper East Region.){kind=link}
Former Vice President and New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has strongly condemned the politicisation of the protracted Bawku conflict, describing it as an unfortunate trend that undermines efforts toward peace and stability in the Upper East Region.
Addressing supporters during the NPP’s national “Thank You Tour” in the Western North Region on Tuesday, Dr. Bawumia accused some political actors of exploiting the Bawku crisis for their own selfish interests.
“The politicisation of the crisis in Bawku is very unfortunate because some people do that for their own parochial interests, not the peace and stability of the area,” Dr. Bawumia said.
He recounted instances where opponents, particularly from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), allegedly accused him of fueling the conflict by supporting one ethnic faction over another. “They played politics with the situation and went round lying to the people that I was behind it. They said I was buying guns for Mamprusis to kill Kusasis. These were the lies they spread against me, and I was so sad when I heard it,” he lamented.
Dr. Bawumia further claimed that such propaganda had even penetrated his own party, with some NPP members reportedly believing and spreading the misinformation.
However, he expressed confidence that the truth has now prevailed. “By the grace of God, many people have now seen their lies and the truth. Those who peddled these lies have now been exposed. This should be a lesson that nobody should play politics with the Bawku issue,” he stated.
He emphasized that the NDC’s political manipulation of the Bawku crisis has backfired, asserting that the public now sees through their alleged deceit. “The events in Bawku have demonstrated that the NDC lied to the people of Bawku for political advantage, and today, everyone has seen their lies,” he added.
Dr. Bawumia concluded by calling for a united front to support ongoing peace efforts in the conflict-ridden area. He lauded the mediation efforts being led by Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and urged all political actors to desist from using chieftaincy disputes for political gain.
“As politicians, let us be careful in using chieftaincy issues to do politics. The NDC have done it and it is now hanging around their neck. I want peace in Bawku more than anybody, and I pray the mediation team being led by Otumfuo will be able to bring much-needed peace in Bawku,” he said.