Mr. Azuma Ndagu, Head of the Kusasi Community in the Ashanti Region, has suggested that government resort to dialoguing, in resolving the Bawku crisis, which has existed since 1968. "The best option is dialogue," he observed, in an interview with The Chronicle. The community head noted that the Kusasi community in the Bawku East, West and Garu Tempane Districts, which constitute the Kusauk Traditional Council, under the Bawku Naba, Asigiri Abugrago Azoka II, had always believed in the use of dialogue, and peaceful coexistence, in the resolution of differences. According to him, Kusasis are by nature peaceful and law-abiding citizens, who do not believe in conflict. Mr. Ndagu, who is also a Principal Research Assistant, at the Centre for Settlement Studies of the College of Architecture of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi, blamed the situation on politicians and chieftaincy contractors, who are said to be taking advantage of the situation to create problems. Chief Ndagu alleged that the persistent conflict was being fanned by some faceless politicians, whose agenda had always been to exploit the innocent poor people of the area, and deceive them with vague promises, of helping them gain power over their perceived opponents. He further blamed some selfish opinion leaders in the area, who have allowed themselves to be manipulated, by these political sycophants, at the expense of the ordinary citizen. "It is very unfortunate that the Bawku Traditional area, which can boast of intellectuals, politicians of high standards, and individuals of high social standing and achievements in Ghana and beyond, could sit down and allow short-sighted and ignorant, colonial-minded confusionists, to continue to misguide and create mayhem, for innocent, peace-loving citizens in the community," he added. He, however, said "since we are dealing with a situation where ignorance is very high, due to low level of literacy, leaders must team up with government, chiefs and religious leaders to create understanding of the situation." He, therefore, called on all well-meaning Ghanaians, including non-governmental organisations (NGOs), religious bodies, chiefs, government agencies, to team up with opinion leaders, and the powers that be, to push for a lasting solution to the crisis, adding Ghanaians should not get fed up with the people of Bawku in this moment of trial. The Kusasi Chief indicated that the landowners of Bawku were undoubtedly the Kusasis, and reiterated the call on the government to come out openly and set the records straight. Chief Ndagu also suggested that the government issue a white paper on the Supreme Court ruling, in order to put the whole matter to rest. According to the community leader, the highest' legal body of the land made a ruling on the issue many years ago, and that the only way to avoid the re-occurrence of the conflict, was for the government to openly come out, with an official statement to back the ruling, in order to bring lasting peace to the region. Chief Ndagu however, appealed to all factions to exercise restraint, in the midst of these difficult times, since violence had never been known to have permanently resolved any issue successfully, stating that it only destroyed precious lives, deprived people of their hard-earned properties, and also stalls development. He commended the government, and other security agencies, including the Upper East Regional Security Council for their untiring efforts in trying to save lives and properties, in the midst of the conflict. Mr. Ebenezer Ndebila, the immediate past President of the Kusasi Students Union, noted that the crisis at Bawku, was orchestrated by elements of vengeance, and motivated by chieftaincy. He suggested that the government issues a white paper, regarding the real occupant of the Bawku skin, claiming the Bawku Naba was not the legitimate chief. Ndebila also accused the security agencies, who he said are not up to the task, of fanning the situation, and called for an investigation into the movement of security personnel in the area. According to him, he suspected the involvement of security personnel in the carnage, and queried how people could feign to be soldiers to brutalize people. The student leader also suggested that the National Peace Council endeavour to meet the youth groups of the two factions, and let them see the need for peace to prevail. Meanwhile, the Akyempimhene of Kumasi, Oheneba Adusei Poku, has expressed grave concern about the Bawku crisis, and said it was giving chieftaincy a bad name. Oheneba Adusei Poku, who is also the head of the Kyidom division of the Kumasi Traditional Council, has therefore called on the government, to come out clearly about the situation there, and ensure that peace prevailed, particularly in this election year. He said "We (nananom) are very much concerned," and called on the warring factions to give peace a chance, because conflicts do not augur well for development. Source: The Chronicle