“Bawku Mamprusis and the controversies over Damba Festival: What next after another controversial Samanpiid by Kusasis”

In a strong display of the commitment to peace, the Mamprusis have remained their calm as the Kusasis celebrated their annual Samanpiid festival on 29th December, 2013. This is notwithstanding the fact that, the Kusasis openly threatened and finally won the favor of Government and National security to deny them (Mamprusis) their constitutional right of celebrating the Damba Festival.
Bawku is a cosmopolitan town made up of several ethnic groups. The major tribes namely, Mamprusis, Kusasis, Mossis, Bissas and Bimobass have festivals or unions which bring the people together. A brochure of the Bawku Municipal Assembly clearly spelt out these major tribes and the festivals which they celebrate. It is important to note that, these festivals serve as a conduit to peaceful co-existence in a community that has diverse ethnic groups.
In addition, the Bawku Inter-Ethnic Peace Committee (BIEPC) which was set up to foster peace and harmony among the various ethnic groups agreed that each group be allowed to celebrate its festival. This was believed to be a step towards attaining lasting peace in a town that peace has eluded for so many years. It is in the light of this that the Kusasis, Bisas and Bimobas celebrated their Samanpiid, Zekula and Danjong festivals respectively last year without any provocation. Surprisingly, when it got to the turn of the Mamprusis to celebrate the Damba festival, the Kusasis orchestrated a grand scheme to deny them (Mamprusis) their inalienable constitutional right which they (Kusasis) had enjoyed without any disturbance. The Kusasi Youth Association, openly issued threats on National TV and radio that they will not allow the Mamprusis to celebrate the Damba festival. The National Security and Government finally gave in to the demands by the Kusasis and thereby denied the Mamprusis their constitutional right to celebrate their festival which was recognized and captured in the Bawku Municipal Assembly brochure.
In view of the aforementioned, there were wide expectations that the Mamprusis will interfere in this year’s celebration of the Samanpiid festival. However, in a true display of discipline and love for peace and town, the Mamprusis remained calm and law abiding. There was no recorded incidence of violence and as such the Kusasis had a peaceful celebration.
In conclusion, and as the popular saying goes, “what is good for the goose is good for the gander”, the Mamprusis and the whole world expects this year’s Damba festival to be marked without any oppression from the Government or National Security. This will be a sign of good faith towards the building of sustainable peace in Bawku. Anything less will mean that the Mamprusis are still suffering oppression in their motherland long after Ghana gained Independence.
LONG LIVE BAWKU! LONG LIVE GHANA!
By: Satim Saa
Email: iyush@yahoo.com