The Northern Region of Ghana has seen so much violence in recent times. The Bawku conflict has been the most prominent but now there appears to be new conflicts as a result of politics. For a relatively peaceful nation like Ghana this is a tragedy!
Political campaigns should be focused on issues which are developmental and should not result in the destruction of meager developmental gains chalked over a rather long period. At the end of the day which group of people suffers most from conflict? Your guess is as good as mine - the grandmothers, the mothers, and the children. No wonder the Regional Minister wept after visiting the scene of chaos, burnt houses and destruction as a result of fighting between supporters of Ghana’s largest political parties. (As depicted by September 4, 2008 edition of the Daily Graphic, one of the major newspapers in Ghana).
That reminds me of a visit Hilda Gorlluh (Program Assistant, Grants) and I carried out in October 2007 when we visited a widows group, ‘Winampang Widows group’ near Bawku, the capital city of the Upper-East Region of Ghana. We broke down and wept after we visited the group. Why did we weep? We were simply overwhelmed with the poverty, misery, agony, disease, food insecurity and all the other challenges facing widows in the group. It is my sincere hope that despite the challenges of living in conflict affected zones, the recent grant provided to ‘Winampang Widows group’ group by AWDF for economic empowerment activities will enable beneficiaries to make a better life for themselves.
People of the Northern Region of Ghana, People of West Africa and people of the African continent, let us give peace a chance. Let us acknowledge the fact that we are all one people with a common destiny. There is no doubt that our continent, countries and regions are very rich in natural and human resources. Let us direct our resources and concert our efforts to development instead of destruction and the vehicle for such a process is nothing, but PEACE.
Grace Amenyogbeli
Administration Manager
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