Interior Minister.... Politicians responisble for continuing Bawku conflict

Interior Minister Cletus Avoka

Interior Minister Cletus Avoka has observed that the resurgence of violence in Bawku is being fanned by some politicians.

That he said, is because there was no justification for the actions that precipitated the latest escalation of violence.

A certain 'Bush Rambo', armed with an AK 47 assault rifle, fired at one Fuseini Moro intending to kill him but missed. He however followed up shooting indiscriminately, firing over 20 bullets all in an attempt to kill Fuseini Moro who was riding a motorbike, according to a police officer.

This led to widespread shooting and general instability culminating in a 2pm to 6am curfew which has now been reviewed to run from 6pm to 6am.

Since Bush Rambo's action was unprovoked, according to Mr Avoka, he must have been instigated by some politicians in whose interest it is to keep the flames of conflict in Bawku continuously burning. He however, would not mention any names.

He was contributing to discussions on the Bawku conflict on Joy FM's Current Affairs Programme, Front Page.

Ferociously parrying suggestions that his position as Interior Minister was compromised by the fact that he is a Kussasi – one of the factions in the conflict – Mr Avoka said during the PNDC era when violence erupted in Bawku in 1983, '84 and '85, he was neither in government nor the Interior Minister.

Under the previous NPP government, the violence persisted and “was I a member of government, the answer is no!

The Interior Minister claimed he had done more than any Interior Minister to resolve the intractable Bawku conflict and restore peace to the area.

The Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mr Adamu Dramani, said the seeming ineptitude of the authorities and the inability of the security agencies to deal effectively with perpetrators of violence served as an incentive for armed persons to commit violent crimes in the name of chieftaincy crisis.

He said the current paralysis and in some cases, tacit connivance of the political elite could only exacerbate the situation.

Mr Dramani expressed regret that he was not involved in peace efforts being undertaken by the government, arguing that as a representative of the people, it was inconceivable that a government seeking genuine dialogue and peace would ignore his contribution and set out solely to try and resolve the problems.

He questioned the justification for leaving him out and rather taking the former Member of Parliament for the area, Mahama Ayariga along when the Vice-President was visiting the area.

The MP - fathered by a Mamprusi and mothered by a Kussasi - called for truth, honesty fairness and firmness in dealing with the crisis.

Play the attached audio and listen Mr Avoka and Adamu Dramani.

Story by Malik Abass Daabu/Myjoyonline