The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has said the enforcement of law and order in Bawku is non-negotiable and must be carried out in a professional, fair and unbiased manner to secure lasting peace.
Speaking at the 2025 Samanpiid Festival, an annual cultural celebration of the Kusaug people in Ghana’s Upper East Region, Mr Asiedu Nketia said sustainable peace in the area could only be achieved through strict adherence to the rule of law, complemented by inclusive dialogue and reconciliation.
He stressed that security interventions alone would not be enough to resolve the long-standing tensions in Bawku, insisting that traditional mediation and community-led reconciliation processes remained critical.
“Lasting peace cannot be built on force alone. It requires sincere dialogue, fairness and respect for the rule of law,” he said.
Mr Asiedu Nketia highlighted the central role of traditional authorities in peacebuilding, urging them to remain proactive and impartial in promoting harmony among all ethnic groups in the area.
“The quality of every governance is measured by the extent to which minority rights are protected,” he said. “The recognition of Kusaug authority in Bawku must not be interpreted as extinguishing the rights of other minority ethnic groups to live peacefully and go about their lawful business as free citizens of Ghana.”
Using a symbolic analogy, the NDC Chairman described Kusaug as the “head” of the Bawku body, noting that peace and development required collective effort and mutual respect from all groups.
“No part of the body can be left behind,” he added.
He also called on the Zugraan, the Overlord of Kusaug, Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, to continue supporting dialogue, mediation and reconciliation efforts.
“As Overlord, you are responsible for the protection of all inhabitants of Bawku, not only the Kusaas,” Mr Asiedu Nketia said. “No peace effort can succeed without your guidance, leadership and unwavering commitment.”
Also addressing the gathering, peace and security expert Emmanuel Bombande urged residents of Bawku and surrounding communities to commit themselves to peaceful coexistence, stressing that law and order remained the foundation of sustainable peace.
He said the state had a responsibility to protect all citizens, regardless of their ethnic or political background.
Mr Bombande praised the mediation efforts led by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, describing the process as inclusive and fair to all parties involved. He also commended the President for implementing recommendations arising from the mediation.
“We have all won,” he said, adding that peace initiatives should not be viewed as victories for one group over another, but as collective gains for the nation.
He encouraged musicians and creative artists in the area to use their platforms to promote unity, peace and coexistence, noting that music had the power to heal divisions and bring communities together.
The event was attended by thousands of people from across the country, including the Majority Leader in Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, and several Members of Parliament.
The Samanpiid Festival is an annual post-harvest thanksgiving celebration of the Kusaug Traditional Area. It is held to express gratitude to God and the ancestral spirits for a successful farming season, as well as for protection and guidance.
Before 1987, the festival was observed separately by various Kusaas clans. That year marked the first time all clans came together to celebrate Samanpiid as a unified festival, a tradition that has since continued annually.