Konkombas, Bimobas smoke peace pipe
Rituals have been performed to signify the end to the internecine conflict between the Konkomba and Bimoba ethnic groups at Kpemale in the East Mamprusi District in the Northern Region.
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Some animals, including a fowl, goat and a dog, were slaughtered during the sacrifice to signify that the spirits of those who lost their lives in the protracted conflict were at peace, and that whosoever would start the conflict again was going to face the wrath of the gods.
It was also to prove that peace, tranquillity and unity had finally returned to the area.
Conflict
Majority of the Bimobas live at Napkanduri, while the Konkombas are domiciled at Kpemale.
Over the years, the two groups had engaged in land dispute that had resulted in casualties, including loss of lives and destruction of properties from both sides.
It had also deprived children in those areas of quality education. Even though there had been earlier attempts by some civil society organisations and other stakeholders to broker peace, such efforts had not yielded the desired unity.
Following the recurrence of the conflict at the least provocation, the two communities were currently under a curfew to forestall any further disturbances. The curfew is from 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.
Effects
The Deputy Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji A.B.A Fuseini, commended the people for the initiative.
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He said the huge sums of money which could have been used for developmental projects such as the establishment of additional schools and hospitals in the area had been channelled into peacekeeping operations.
The minister entreated them to always resort to dialogue in resolving their differences since they were all bearing the brunt of the conflict that had kept them in perpetual poverty and lack of development.
He commended the security personnel who had been deployed to the area for their efforts in ensuring peace.
Assurance
The Chief of Napkanduri, Naa David Kansuk, assured the deputy minister that the performance of the rites marked the beginning of peace between the protagonists.
“The past years of conflicts have brought nothing but sorrow and starvation to us. It is also the reason for our under-development,” he said.
The Chief of Kpemale, Naa Daniel Wajack, also expressed satisfaction with the peace agreement and admonished the youth never to resort to the use of arms against one another.
The District Chief Executive for Bunkpurugu, Mr Sampoar Timothy, assured the people that the initiative agreed on by both parties could lead to the accelerated development of the area.