Bunkpurugu MP advocates road map to bring peace in his area
Mr Solomon Boar, Member of Parliament (MP) for Bunkpurugu, has called for far-reaching stakeholder consultations to prepare a comprehensive roadmap to resolve the intermittent clashes between Bimobas and Konkombas dwelling in Kpemali once and for all.
“When a comprehensive plan is formulated through wider stakeholder consultation better ideas would come up to address the perennial cultural, economic, social and educational challenges confronting the people, particularly the young ones in the area,” he stressed.
The roadmap to peace in Kpemali will afford stakeholders the opportunity to revisit important points in the previous peace process and review them so that the challenges found would be dealt with systematically.
Mr Boar made the call on Saturday in an interview with the Ghana News Agency to explain the steps being taken to find a lasting solution to the clashes between the two ethnic groups.
He suggested the need for the tackling of the underlining causes of ignorance, abject poverty and cultural barriers that breeds antagonism, suspicion and apprehension among the people to end the conflict.
Mr Boar noted that the unique culture and background of the people calls for an elaborate plan and broader consultations to make Kpemali conflict free.
He said what people need to understand is that the recent clash in the area was not a war between Bimobas and Konkombas as speculated in the media.
“The two groups are play mates and have been co-habiting for centuries. There is a strong bond between them.
“The impression created in the public sphere that there is a fight between Bimobas and Konkombas is wrong and does not help in finding long-lasting peace because it creates unnecessary tension and apprehension in other parts of the country.”
Mr Boar appealed to journalists to be circumspect in the use of words in their reportage in order not to touch the sensitivity of the people.
He added that the media should not only be interested in reporting on the causes, history and the outcome of the conflict but equally help prescribe solutions to the problem.
The MP applauded the Northern Regional Security Council for restoring calm to the community and appealed to the opinion leaders, traditional rulers and the youth to support the security agencies to maintain peace.
Mr Boar spoke against the destruction of lives and property, which often accompanied such conflicts and asked government to commit resources to address the economic and social challenges fueling such security problems.
Source: GNA