Former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has condemned the politicisation of the crisis in Bawku in the Upper East Region.
Speaking during the NPP’s national “Thank You” tour on Tuesday in the Western North Region, Dr. Bawumia stated that the conflict, which has escalated in recent times, has been exploited by some politicians to advance their selfish interests at the expense of peace, describing the situation as “unfortunate.”
“The politicisation of the crisis in Bawku is very unfortunate because some people are doing so for their own parochial interests, not for the peace and stability of the area,” Dr. Bawumia said.
“They played politics with the situation and went around lying to the people that I was behind it. They claimed I was buying guns for Mamprusis to kill Kusasis. These were the lies they spread about me, and I was deeply saddened when I heard them.”
The former Vice President further suggested that even some members of the NPP believed the propaganda and were spreading the same falsehoods in the area.
Over time, Dr. Bawumia noted, God has exposed the NDC, whom he accused of championing the false narratives against him.
“The events in Bawku have now clearly demonstrated that the NDC lied to the people of Bawku for political advantage, and today, everyone has seen through those lies.”
“By the grace of God, many people now see the truth. Those who peddled these lies have been exposed. This should serve as a lesson that nobody should play politics with the Bawku issue.”
While calling on all stakeholders to join hands in achieving lasting peace in Bawku, the former Vice President also urged politicians to desist from exploiting the Bawku conflict and other chieftaincy issues for political gain.
“As politicians, we must be cautious about using chieftaincy issues for political purposes. The NDC has done it, and now it is hanging around their neck. I desire peace in Bawku more than anyone, and I pray the mediation team led by Otumfuo Osei Tutu (II) will succeed in bringing much-needed peace to the area.”
