The Rural Initiatives for Self-Empowerment Ghana (RISE-Ghana), a Non- Governmental Organisation, has advocated the deployment of rule of law and civic engagement mechanisms to resolve the Bawku chieftaincy crisis and ensure sustainable peace.
“Following the resurgence of violent conflict in the Bawku area which has reportedly claimed some lives and caused loss of property, we wish to urge citizens to resort to the use of civic means to express their grievances and seek redress”.
A statement, signed and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Bolgatanga by Alhaji Awal Ahmed Kariama, the Executive Director of RISE-Ghana, urged the parties to the conflict to resort to use of legal mechanisms and due process to exercise and claim their rights.
The statement urged the youth to be wary of misinformation and resist the temptation to engage in violent conflict.
“Politicians and state functionaries should avoid exploiting the situation and profess political solutions that could either set or reinforce dangerous precedents that undermine the rule of law and trust in state institutions.
“State institutions mandated with peace and security and the media should avoid statements and discussions that have a potential to inflame passion, deepen the already volatile situation and undermine the legitimacy and trust of mandated state institutions and time-tested conflict resolution and mediation mechanisms”, it added.
It said Ghana as sovereign state had a legal and moral obligation to protect, promote and fulfill the fundamental human rights of all its citizens including the right to survival and right to life.
“The Ministry of the Interior and the Upper East and North East REGSEC should immediately institute measures to prevent the recurrent road blockades which results in reprisals and loss of lives and property”, it appealed.
GNA
HT/GRB
30 Oct 2024
