Residents of conflict ridden Bunkprugu Township in the Northern Region are living in constant fear and panic following renewed deadly clashes between the Jamong and Jafog, two rival Bimoba clans on Wednesday January 17.
They are now suspicious of each other and some vulnerable people especially children and women who fled into neighbouring Togo are afraid to return.
At the instance of a fact finding national security operatives led by the Acting Inspector General of Police, John Kudalor’s visit to the area, the Bunkprugu Township looked deserted (Ghost town).
John Kudalor called for peaceful coexistence at a meeting with the paramount chief and elders of the Bimoba traditional area.
He noted with deep concern that government’s expenditure on maintaining peace in the area was high for which reason a permanent ceasefire was required.
John Kudalor emphasized that it was the responsibility of all stakeholders particularly the chiefs, opinion leaders and the youth to sustain the fragile peace there.
Chief of Army staff, Richard Opoku Odusei urged chiefs and opinion leaders there to ensure everlasting peace.
He said security operatives on local peace keeping mission in Bunkprugu needed their maximum cooperation to achieve their goal.
The Chief of Army Staff served notice that the Army command in collaboration with it’s allies will be on a high alert to avert any untoward situation before, during and after the general elections.
Paramount chief of the Bimoba tradional area, Alhaji Abuba Naasimong said the incessant conflict there is purely chiefdom.
According to him, his rivals from the other side of the chieftaincy divide have vowed never to recognize him as their paramount chief.
Alhaji Abuba Naasimong recalled that the conflict started in 2007 after the overlord of Mamprugu tradional area enskinned him against 10 other competitors.
He nevertheless called for truce to attract the attention of investors and development partners required to complement government’s transformational agenda.
EDUCATION
Basic schools in Bunkprugu have temporarily been shutdown since the conflicts resurrected.
Teachers who are non natives of the area have fled and education authorities there are unsure of their return to their duty post.
Some of the frustrated students in a Citi News interview appealed to their kinsmen to smoke the peace pipe.
They complained about the age long recurring conflict which they described as a major threat to their future aspirations.
ROADS
The Bunkprugu Township lacks motorable road network as the roads are dusty and rocky.
Motorists using saloon cars are uncomfortable using the road from outskirts Nakpanduri Township towards Bunkprugu Township.
The team later met the Jafog clan on a separate ground and reiterated the need for peaceful coexistence.
Other members of the team include Director General of the Ghana Police Service in charge of operations, DCOP Christian Tetteh Yohonu, a Deputy National Security Coordinator, Chinikpa-Wura, Alhaji Osman Salifu.
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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana