Bawku conflict has not worsened under Mahama govt – Zebilla MP

Member of Parliament for Zebilla, Ebenezer Alumire Ndebilla, has refuted claims that the Bawku conflict worsened under the administration of President John Dramani Mahama.

This follows the Minority New Patriotic Party’s assertion that the Bawku conflict had deteriorated under the current administration, with rising fatalities and widespread destruction of property.

This followed the recent violent clash between police and youth in the area, which reportedly resulted in deaths and injuries. Reports also indicate that the private residences of Bawku MP Mahama Ayariga and Pusiga MP Lardi Ayii Ayamba were set ablaze during the unrest.

But speaking on the Channel One Newsroom on Friday April 11, Ndebilla described such assertions as misleading and deceptive to the public.

He argued that the escalation of the conflict in recent years occurred under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) regime, pointing to significant developments that have intensified tensions in the area.

“In the last three to four years under the NPP regime, the issue has escalated to a very high extent, to the extent that a lot of things happened during that period which have exacerbated the issues in the catchment area,” Ndebilla stated.

The Zebilla MP emphasised that peace-building is a gradual process and cannot be expected to resolve longstanding issues within a short timeframe.

“You do not expect a problem that has existed for eight years, four years, to just be solved in three years. Peace-building is a process, and we really are hoping that we will be able to find lasting solutions to the problem,” he added.

Ndebilla reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace in Bawku and called for a collective approach to address the challenges.

—citinewsroom