Youth Threaten To Defy National Security’s Directive

Some youth in the Bawku Municipality have served notice that they will proceed with the celebration of this year’s Damba festival scheduled for Tomorrow, Saturday March 20, despite directives from National Security that the celebrations be postponed indefinitely for security reasons.

The National Security issued the directive on Thursday, March 18, to avert any possible clash between the Mamprusis and the Kusasis.
The Mamprusis and Kusasis have been involved in a long-drawn-out ethnic violence which has claimed many innocent lives and destroyed several properties.

According to Regional Minister, Mark Wayongo, the REGSEC and the MUSEC were in talks with the Bawku Naaba to fashion out how best the celebrations could be done peacefully and in a limited manner when the directive came from the National Security that the celebrations be postponed.

Speaking to Citi FM, an organizer of the Mamprusi Youth, Iddrisu Bugri denied that Bawku is currently a security threat. He said the place is currently so peaceful that nothing can justify the National Security’s call for the postponement of the celebrations.

“I don’t know why the National Security is also telling us why we should not celebrate the Damba festival. We don’t have any security issues in Bawku and quite apart from that Bawkiu in itself is peaceful at the moment so I don’t see why National Security should deny us from celebrating Damba at this moment; something which we cherish and have celebrated it for over three hundred years.” He said.

Iddrisu Bugri wondered why the National Security had to postpone their celebrations when the Kusasi were allowed to celebrate theirs under the protection of the National Security.

“Last December the Kusasis celebrated theirs under heavy security, what happened; nothing happened. So why are they denying us from celebrating Damba festival at this time?If only they could provide security for the Kusasis, I know they can provide security for the Mamprusis.

“We are in the center of Bawku Township; we are not in the outskirts like the Kusasis who come in to celebrate their festival. We are in the center of Bawku so I don’t see how someone in the outskirt can come and hamper the peace which already exists here,” He added.

Iddrisu Bugri called on the Military to intensify security to ensure that it beefs up the security in the area to ensure a peaceful celebration.“And even without security I know we still can celebrate the Damba because we are not going outside the township to celebrate the Damba but rather we are in the Bawku Township to celebrate the Damba festival.” He added.

He assured that the Mamprusis will proceed with the celebration but will do so in a peaceful atmosphere.

In response to the defiance of the Bawku Youth, Regional Minister Mark Wayongo said: “We have no option than to enforce directives from the National Security and that Information has been passed on to the security agency.”

Source: Citifmonline/Ghana