UE/R: SOCO PROJECT FACILITATORS URGED TO WORK HARD FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE PROJECT – DCE NABDAM
BY: ATUIMAH VALERIUS
The Concerned Bolga Youth have announced the postponement of their scheduled peace walk, initially set for Saturday, May 10th, 2025. The event will now take place on Saturday, May 24th, 2025. This decision, according to the group, is to optimize the efficacy of the walk in solidarity with the ongoing conflict in Bawku.
The peace walk, spearheaded under the banner of the Concerned Bolga Youth, aims to amplify the voices of peace and urge an end to the bloodshed in the Bawku region. The group articulated their motivations during an in-studio discussion with Gladys at GBC Ura Radio on Friday, May 9th, 2024.
During the interview, the convener; Emmanuel Adongo Anderson, passionately conveyed their distress over the situation in Bawku. “So we are coming together and then we are coming to plead with our brothers to lay down the weapons,” the convener stated, emphasizing the group’s desire to remain uninvolved in the conflict itself. “We don’t know about the war, we don’t want to involve ourselves in it. What we are saying is we hear the sound of guns, we see bloodshed, we see children being killed, we see women being killed.”
The convener highlighted the shared humanity and ancestral ties between the people of Bolgatanga and Bawku, expressing concern that the ongoing violence affects everyone. “Both sides are losing. So why do we sit down and see it doesn’t bother us? Yet we live with them. So, we thought it is time for us to let our voices as brothers, as relatives, from one ancestor. Let’s talk to our brothers to come down and lay down the weapons. And sort through a peaceful dialogue.”
The group acknowledged the recent intervention of the Asantehene, describing it as “a good call” and questioned what the people of Bolgatanga were doing in response to the crisis. “Coincidentally, we also as a people in Bolga, Asantehene is in Kumasi, we are in Bolga here. What are we in Bolga people doing? So we thought that we should take up this peace walk. Use it as a vehicle to convey a very strong message of peace, a very strong message of love that they should lay down their weapons. We beg them. And then sort through a different method of solving the issue.”
The peace walk is now scheduled for Saturday, May 24th, 2025. The conveying point for participants will be the Bolga Sports Stadium. From there, the procession will move through the principal streets of Bolgatanga before returning to the stadium for dispersal. Organizers have assured participants that water and light refreshments will be provided, and there will also be music to create a peaceful atmosphere.
Speaking on behalf of the organizing team, Mr. Emmanuel urged all concerned citizens of Ghana, particularly those from the Upper East Region, to join the walk. “If you are a concerned citizen of Ghana and a member of the Upper East Region, you want the progress and betterment of the region, a peaceful Upper East that we all seek, come out in your numbers, of course.”
He also appealed for donations to support the event. “You can also donate items, minerals or anything that will help all the youth and event participants that are in their efforts fighting for the progress and betterment of the region.”
The Concerned Bolga Youth hope that their peace walk will serve as a powerful message of unity and a heartfelt plea for peace in the Bawku region. They encourage all residents of Bolgatanga and the wider Upper East Region who desire peace and progress to participate in this important event on May 24th, 2025.
