The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has appealed to the warring factions in the Bawku conflict to lay down their arms and embrace peace for the sake of development and prosperity.
The king, who is the traditional ruler of the Ashanti Kingdom and a highly respected figure in Ghana, said the prolonged violence in the northeastern town had brought nothing but misery, poverty, and stagnation to the people.
According to a report by Ghana Web, he urged the rival groups to reconsider their positions and resolve their differences through dialogue and mutual respect, rather than resorting to bloodshed and destruction.
The Asantehene made these remarks in a speech read on his behalf by Oguahyia Oduro Panin Birikorang, Chief of Edubiase in the Ashanti Region, during an annual Quran recitation and Islamic prayers for the nation in Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti Region.
Tolerance and Unity
The Asantehene also cautioned Ghanaians against tribal or religious politics, especially as the country prepares for the 2024 general elections.
He said it was important for politicians to focus on issues that would transform the country and improve the lives of the people, rather than exploiting ethnic or sectarian sentiments to divide the nation.
The Asantehene advised the youth, especially those in Zongo communities, which are predominantly Muslim settlements, not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to cause violence or disrupt the electoral process.
He said the fact that the two leading political parties in the country, the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), had both chosen candidates from the northern part of the country, was a testament to the potential and diversity of Ghana.
He said young people from the north should aspire to emulate the achievements of the NPP’s Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, and the NDC’s flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, who both rose from humble backgrounds to become national leaders.
Education and Development
The Asantehene also encouraged the people in Zongo communities to take advantage of the educational opportunities available to them, such as the Otumfuo Educational Trust Fund, which provides scholarships and support to needy students.
He said education was the key to unlocking the potential of the youth and empowering them to contribute to the development of the country.
He also urged the chiefs and elders in Zongo communities to protect the children and the youth from negative influences and guide them on the right path.
