Konkonbas, Bimobas must give peace a chance

Time and again the government has drawn attention to the negative effects of conflicts on the public purse. It always deploys security personnel to conflict areas to maintain peace. The resources used to provide ration for the security personnel and the logistics to enable them to maintain the peace can be channelled into the provision of social amenities in the country.

Ironically, most of the conflict-prone areas are deprived. While the government is enjoined to channel more resources into those areas to bridge the development gap between them and the urban centres, the people spend most of the time on conflicts that can be resolved through dialogue.

We have said before that the use of conflict to resolve disagreements is objectionable and that the best option is dialogue. We shall always encourage parties in conflict to remain at the negotiation table until they have found amicable solutions to the conflicts.

What happened between the Konkombas and the Bimobas cannot be justified in any way, no matter the circumstances. We discourage them from the use of self-help to resolve their conflicts.

We state unequivocably that might cannot be right and that the only way that we can live at peace with one another is respect the due process of the law.

There is nothing good that can be resolved from the state of nature, as in that environment it is only the fittest who can survive.

In the flash points dotted across the country where clashes are renewed as and when the factions feel like engaging in combat, there is no order to engender economic development and progress.

In the conflicts zones, many people cannot go about their duties without let or hindrance. While farmers in those areas are afraid to go to their farms, traders are unable to engage in commerce and public servants and other workers leave the community for fear of their lives. In the end, the local economy suffers.

Ghana is presently going through many challenges. We need peace to be able to carry out our daily endeavours in the task of reconstructing the nation.

The tendency to resort to violence at the least provocation will defeat any attempt by the government to rebuild the economy. Investors will also not be motivated to invest in a country that is torn apart by protracted conflicts.

The Daily Graphic, therefore, appeals to the factions in the renewed clash between the Konkombas and the Bimobas to put down their offensive weapons and smoke the peace pipe. They must bear in mind that it is in an atmosphere of peace that the government can carry out its programme to improve the lives of the people.

We call on Bimobas and Konkombas to give peace a chance. We equally call on the police to also avoid any high-handedness in the maintenance of peace in order not to inflame passions and aggravate the volatile situation in the area.