Bawku (U/E), Jan 9, GNA - Mr Kwamena Bartels, Minister of Interior, on Tuesday assured the chiefs and people of the Bawku that government would find a lasting solution to the recurrent conflict in Bawku. He appealed to them to cooperate with security personnel posted to the area to ensure peace and also with any fact-finding group that might visit them to seek their knowledge and wisdom that would assist in finding a lasting solution to the conflict.

Mr. Bartels said this when he visited the municipality and was accompanied by the Minister of Defence, Mr. Albert Kan-Dapaah and the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Samuel Anum Odotei. He appealed to the chiefs of Mamprusis and Kusasis and opinion leaders from the area to talk to their people to continue to exercise restraint whilst government finds a lasting solution to the problem. Mr Bartels said as custodians of the land, they needed to help the government find a permanent solution to the conflict and commended the two chiefs for exhibiting high sense of wisdom by helping to bring the communal violence under control and urged them to continue with the peace initiatives.

Both chiefs expressed gratitude for the concern shown by government and pledged their support to help find a lasting solution to the communal conflict, saying that it was retarding the development of the area.

Lt-Col Irvin Ayitey, Commander of the Air Borne Force, told the delegation that an uneasy calm had returned to Bawku and that security personnel were leaving no stone unturned to maintain peace. He suggested the need to complete the Bazua Army camp in the area since it would help combat crimes and pave way for development. Major General Odotei told security personnel to exhibit a high sense of professionalism, not to take sides with any of the feuding factions and to be vigilant.

Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Upper East Region, Mr. Ofosu Mensah-Gyeabour, said eight people had been officially reported dead and that the figure could be higher because some deaths might not have been reported.

Seventeen people were reported injured and are receiving treatment while 98 houses and 29 stores were burnt.

Twenty-two people have been arrested in connection with the conflict and remanded in the Navrongo Prisons pending further investigations. Mr. Kan-Dapaah commended the security personnel for their ability to bring the situation under control and urged them to continue maintaining neutrality.