BAWKU, CHRISTIANS PRAY FOR PEACE

Christians from all denominations of churches within the Bawku Municipality thronged to the Central Baptist Church and embarked upon a one week fasting and prayer and sought the intervention of God for sustainable peace to prevail in the land of Bawku.

For them, the intermittent occurrence of conflict in the land was enough and was time that they sought for divine help to put an end to all the troubles in Bawku.

According to them, their motivation and inspiration is the theme of the crusade; “Redeeming the land” which is contained in the Holy Bible: 2 chronicles 7:14 “If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, them I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land”.

At the climax of the crusade, the host, Rev. John Kojo Atubiga thanked God for the crusade and the astonishing impact it has started making in the lives of the people.

“Most of the people after listening to the main speaker from Nigeria Bishop Tendoo Angbagh and the other preachers, broken down in tears and wept bitterly which is a sign of regret and resolved not to let such a thing happen to them again” he said.

Rev. John Kojo Atubiga said though he is not resident in Bawku but for the fact that he is a native of the place he couldn’t sit down unconcern but had to quickly put this programme together for the healing of the land. This is just the beginning of series of the healing crusades in Bawku he added.

The chairman of the local council of churches in Bawku, Rev. Fr. Dominic Akologo said, though many people might have concluded in their hearts that the end of Bawku is come, but they have always confessed positively.

Rev. Fr. Akologo said this crusade is just the beginning of the many good things to come such that it would not be long when the name of Bawku is mentioned it will be for the good reasons.

The NPP Parliamentary Candidate for the Binduri constituency Mr. Stephen Yakubu said the land needs gatherings like this because is the only way to for the people to live together as one.

“We should not think that one day there will be ethnic cleansing therefore, let us continue to live peacefully together irrespective of our tribes and avoid politicians who preach divide and rule tribal politics” he said.

The Security Agencies in a speech read on their behalf by a member of the Municipal Security Committee (MUSEC) and also the Deputy Coordinating Director Hon. David Naa- Ire thanked the people of Bawku for the level of peace and cooperation so far but still believes that sustainable peace is possible and within the people themselves which they must exhibit fully.

Hon. David Naa – Ire appealed to the public to provide information on criminal activities to the security agencies for proper handling.

The Paramount Chief of Bawku Naba Abugrago Asigri Azoka II in a speech read on his behalf said no ruler can be happy when his area is experiencing bouts of violence including the gruesome killings of women and children, therefore he sees the prayer crusade as most important and very timely .

Naba Abugrago Asigri Azoka II pledged to contribute his quota in every way possible to assist in the preservation of peace in Bawku Traditional Area.
“In exercising my duties as the traditional ruler of this area I will be fair and just with all my subjects and residents of the Bawku Traditional Area, irrespective of their ethnic differences, which appears to be at the core of the current conflict” Naba Abugrago Asigri Azoka II Assured.

The Bawku Municipal Chief Executive Hon. Abdulai Abanga said no place can develop without peace therefore if Christians have come together to pray for sustainable peace in Bawku, invariably they, are bringing development to Bawku.

He expressed optimism that this time round sustainable is possible in Bawku. He however urged the people to continue to maintain peace and observe rule of law.


JAMES DORGBETOR
BAWKU MUNICIPAL INFORMATION OFFICER