Opinions of Thursday, 17 January 2013

Columnist: Wuni, Ras Iddi

People Of Bawku Demands Accountability Of Leadership

When the gate keeper goes to sleep, the thief comes in. When the river sleep, accident sets in. So therefore when the security agencies in Bawku went to sleep, some people took advantage of the situation and began creating problems for everybody. How on earth, that, for continuously more than three days in some parts of the Municipality there were gun shots every night yet the security agencies could not bring the situation to halt even when concern citizens in the round cried out loud about the firing of gun shots? Tell me, Mr. Officer!

Why must gun shots be heard in the Municipality for more than a day in the presence of security detachment. Why must the MCE, the Assembly men and women representing the people sit aloof and watch things like this to happen in the Municipality? Why? Why must it be that someone has to die before everybody is seen to be doing something? Why can't people who are to ensure the safety and security of the people not be accountable to the people? Tell me why, Mr. Officer!

Why must it be that the Kusasis have to blame the Mamprusis or the Mamprusis blame the Kusasis? Why must it be that it is the Moshies we have to blame because it happened around their area? Why must we not blame the authorities for not doing enough to prevent such senseless acts? Why? Why must the ordinary man/woman wonder when he/she will ever get justice? Tell me, Mr. Officer!

Fellow citizens, this is the time to demand accountability from our leaders. This is the time for people in responsible positions tell the people why things like that has to happened for almost a week? Until such a time that we all rise up and start questioning and demanding answers, we will always lament and nothing will ever change. If it is impossible to unite the Mamprusis and Kusasis, is it also impossible for the security agencies to keep the Mamprusis and Kusasis, as well as the other citizens of the Municipality safe? I certainly don't think that it is impossible to get the Mamprusis and Kusasis together in brotherhood let alone the impossibility on the part of the security agencies to protect lives and property as their responsibility. Why is no one telling the people something? Not even an apology and assurance of safety.

The time to act is now. This kind of leadership attitude must stop! For God sake we must respect the people as leaders.The people want to see justice being done. They want to be sure that no one will have to die before we all start crying and blaming other people whose responsibility it is not to ensure their safety. Not that they can't do it by themselves but that will mean violence. When people love peace, you give them justice and respect. You encourage them to stay on the path of peace by doing what is necessary to earn their trust and confidence.

Fellow citizens, I wish to use this platform to appeal to the security agencies to do all that they can to arrest and bring to book those criminals. I also would like to suggest to the MCE and the Municipal Assembly, together with the security agencies to initiate moves that would make it difficult if not impossible for any person or group of persons to engage in firing gun shots continuously for more than a day.

Last but not the least, my appeal goes to the good people of Bawku to continue to remain calm and patience and not allow some few criminals push them into taking arms against one another. Let's remain united with one voice of peace, and also demand justice and accountability from those responsible for our safety and protection.

Thank you all and may peace continue to rain in Bawku our beloved homeland.

BY: Ras Iddi Wuni Jnr. (Author of Who Killed The Warrior?)