President John Dramani Mahama has made a heartfelt appeal to residents of Bawku and surrounding areas to prioritize peace and rebuild friendships to bring an end to the prolonged conflict in the region.
His call for calm comes in the wake of escalating violence that has claimed approximately 56 lives and prompted the imposition of a curfew in Bawku and its environs, restricting movement between 8:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.
Speaking at the 68th Independence Day celebration held at the Jubilee House in Accra under the theme “Reflect, Review, and Reset,” President Mahama underscored the importance of creating a peaceful environment for future generations.
“The people of Bawku and other areas, it is time for lasting peace to prevail. Our children deserve to inherit a peaceful land where their dreams are nurtured, not a place where their nightmares are relived,” Mahama said.
He emphasized the need for markets to thrive with trade instead of tension and for schools to resonate with learning, not sorrow.
President Mahama encouraged the people of Bawku to rise above mistrust and past grievances, advocating for unity and reconciliation.
“Let us give renewal and friendship a chance. Let us give peace a chance. This is not an invitation to simply forget the past—far from it. It is an invitation to live above it,” he concluded.
The President’s message resonated with the broader theme of the Independence Day celebration, which called for reflection on Ghana’s past, a review of its present, and a reset for a more promising future.