Channel Your Energy In Fighting Poverty Instead; Mahama Tells Disputing Gonjas and Mamprusis

The former President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama has reacted to recent violence between the Gonja and Mamprusi ethnic groups in the Savannah region.

In a Facebook post, Mr Mahama said he was greatly disappointed by the development and called on the factions to channel their energy and resources into fighting the common enemy instead.

According to him, fighting poverty instead of their brothers will be worthwhile.

He said, “I have learnt with regret and great disappointment recent hostilities between sections of the Gonja and Mamprusi communities along a disputed border between the Soo and Wasipe traditional areas of the North East and Savanna Regions, respectively.

“These hostilities, emanating from disputes over traditional jurisdictional issues, have led to the destruction of property and loss of lives. This is unfortunate.
Gonjas and Mamprusis have lived together peacefully for ages and have become family through intermarriage and other social relationships.”

Calling on the paramount chiefs of the factions and other relevant stakeholders to intervene for resolution, he emphasised ethnic groups must endeavour to co-exist peacefully and deploy non-violent means to resolve disputes instead of resorting to arms at the slightest provocation.

He has also availed himself for assistance in finding a “lasting” resolution to the dispute.

A renewed clash between members of the Gonja and Mamprusi tribes in Lukula in the North Gonja District of the Savannah Region sparked on May 30 when a gang numbering about fifty (50) invaded the Mempeasem community and kidnapped a 50-year-old man, according to the police.

The police managed to rescue the kidnapped victim and retrieved one (1) AK-47 weapon together with 14 rounds of ammunition, seven (7) motorbikes and two (2) bicycles from the scene of the incident.

On June 1, three suspects, now in police custody, went on a rampage burning houses and shooting randomly, in Lukula. They are also reported to have killed an 80-year-old man on his farm.

The fifty people are yet to be arrested.