According to Abdul Majid Bakura, they will only return to the Inter-Ethnic Peace Committee, if they are allowed to celebrate the Damba Festival.
The Mamprusis, pulled out of the committee after they accused the National Security Council of bias, for allowing the Kusasis to observe their festival and barring Mamprusis from doing same after several requests.
President John Evans Atta Mills over the weekend, made a passionate appeal to Mamprusis to rescind their decision and return to the Inter-Ethnic Peace Committee to for the sake of peace.
President Mills made the appeal on the first day of his tour of the Upper East Region, where he addressed Paramount Chiefs in Bolgatanga. But the Spokesperson for the Mamprusi Youth in Bawku, Abdul Majid Bakura, has told Citi News until their conditions are met, they will not heed to the President’s call.
“If only the Government wants us to go back to the Inter-Ethnic Peace Committee, our conditions have been spelt out. Our conditions must be met first because we don’t understand why the National Security can ask us not to celebrate the Damba festival but rather provided security for the Kusasis to celebrate their Samanpede festival. Are we fairly treated?” he asked.
“So for the sake of peace that the Government is talking about urging us to reconsider our decision, why is it that for that same sake of peace the Government couldn’t allow us to celebrate our festival? That means the Government is hypocritical. How can a Government that is seeking for peace and unity in Bawku allow one group to celebrate their festival and deny the other? How can there be peace?” he queried.
“As a Government responsible for peace, you must provide a level playing field for both factions. So until our conditions are met, I don’t think we will ever go back to the Inter-Ethnic Peace Committee” he stressed.
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