Bawku (UE), Dec 7, GNA - The funeral of the late Shiekh Mualimu Mohammed, Imam of Bawku Municipality in the Upper East Region, brought members of the two factions of the Bawku conflict together, at the weeken= d. They prayed together and exchange greetings, symbolizing the return of peace to Bawku. The National Chief Iman, Shiekh Osman Nuhu Sharabutu, who was at funeral led the prayers and called for peace to return to Bawku. The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr. Mark Woyongo appealed to the people especially the factions to translate the massive participation in the funeral into peace.

He said that government had initiated interventions to alleviate the=

plight of people in the three Northern Regions but without peace there wo= uld be no meaningful development. Mr Woyongo asked stakeholders including political parties to help government to ensure lasting peace in Bawku.

Mr. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Minority leader in Parliament, who was a= lso at the funeral, appealed to the people to burry their differences and all= ow peace to prevail and lamented that the Bawku area was lagging behind in development due to conflicts. He said money being spent on maintaining law and order could have be= en used to development area. The Member of Parliament for the area, Mr. Adamu Dramani appealed to=

the people to avoid ethnicity and ensure peace to enable them to fully benefit from the national cake. Mr. Musah Abdulai, Bawku Municipal Chief Executive, called for peace and cautioned the youth to avoid being used by selfish people.

The National Chief Imam installed Sheikh Mohammed Mutala as the new Chief Imam of the municipality and Mallam Yakubu Mohammed Dantani as the Deputy Imam of the municipality.

The Chief Imam called on Muslims at the Navrongo Mosque and Bolgatan= ga Central Mosque and joined worshippers to pray. He called on Paramount Chief of the Bawku Traditional Area, Naba Asigri Abugragu Azoka II, and prayed for peace to prevail in Bawku.