BDA condemns 'devilish and barbaric' murdering of a Bissa woman in Mamprusi-Kusasi conflict

The Bissa Development Association (BDA) has condemned the "gruesome murder of an innocent Bissa woman" amid the tribal conflict between Mampusis and Kusasis in Bawku, describing it as "devilish" and  "barbaric".

Madam Rukaya Awudu was reportedly murdered in her house at Daduri in Bawku in the presence of her daughter after failing to disclose the whereabouts of her husband who was being pursued by the killers.

In a statement to register it's displeasure of the heinous act meted out to the woman, the BDA further called on the security agencies to take  swift actions of arresting and punishing such crimes to "send the right signals to the criminals to abandon their game".

"The BDA condemns in no uncertain terms, this devilish act of attacking and killing an innocent woman," the statement read.

"Such barbaric acts have no place in any civilized society and must be condemned by all.

"We equally condemn in similar measure, all acts of killings and violence connected with the recent Bawku conflict."

There has been a renewal of the decades-long ethnic conflict between Mamprusis and Kusais in the past month, leading to a declaration of curfew by the Government.

But the BDA in the statement said it has taken notes of some threats being shifted on the lives of Bissas in an attempt to draw them into the fray.

It has therefore urged "the Peaceful-loving Bissa fraternity"  not to get themselves linked with the waring tribes amid ongoing intimidation.

"The BDA further notes with serious concerns, audio messages conveying threats being issued via social media against the lives and properties of the Bissa people in the Bawku area," read the statement signed by its Chairman Alhaji Shaibu Musah Gutare Zanni.

"As peace loving citizens of Bawku, we urge any Bissa who might be tempted to take sides in the conflict to desist from doing so."

There has been a cold war between Mamprusis and kusasis over multiplicity of issues, mainly fueled by chieftaincy and land ownership.

In November the Ministry of the Interior imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on the Bawku Municipality and its environs in the Upper East Region following the renewed tribal disputes in the area.

Besides the curfew are two bans, one on carrying of arms, ammunition or any offensive weapons and the other on wearing of smock in the affected communities.

The BDA, which is an association made up of chiefs and elders of the Bissa ethnic group, feels concerned over the recent happenings in the Bawku municipality, which caused the death of Madam Rukaya Awudu.

Amid the age-long war, Bissas who are among the original land owners of the Upper East, have remain neutral, with no history of any conflict with any of the neighboring tribes, a feat the BDA wants to preserve.

It has added it's voice in calling on the waring tribes to "give peace a chance" for the betterment of the Bawku community.

"We also appeal to our neighbours to give peace a chance to enable Bawku regain its past enviable glory of being the commercial hub of the north," added.

Read full statement below

PRESS STATEMENT RELEASED BY THE BISSA DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION (BDA), DATED 31ST DECEMBER, 2021

Friends from the Media,

All peace-loving Ghanaians

Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is with a heavy heart that the Bissa Development Association (BDA) issue this press statement to condemn the gruesome murder of an innocent Bissa woman Madam Rukaya Awudu, in her house at Daduri in Bawku on Tuesday, 28th December, 2021.

According to eye witnesses, her killers demanded the whereabouts of her husband. When she told them that she did not know his whereabouts, she was shot a number of times in the presence of her daughter, leading to her death.

The BDA condemns in no uncertain terms, this devilish act of attacking and killing an innocent woman. Such barbaric acts have no place in any civilized society and must be condemned by all. We equally condemn in similar measure, all acts of killings and violence connected with the recent Bawku conflict.It is our prayer that Allah grant our sister Rukaya Awudu and all departed souls in the recent Bawku conflict mercy.

The BDA further notes with serious concerns, audio messages conveying threats being issued via social media against the lives and properties of the Bissa people in the Bawku area. We wish to state without any doubt whatsoever, that the peace-loving Bissa people are not a party to the conflict. We are however saddened by the escalation of tension between our neighbours, the Kusasis and the Mamprusis. As peace loving citizens of Bawku, we urge any Bissa who might be tempted to take sides in the conflict to desist from doing so. We also appeal to our neighbours to give peace a chance to enable Bawku regain its past enviable glory of being the commercial hub of the north.

The BDA hereby commend the efforts of the hard working Security Agencies while calling on them to intensify efforts to bring the killers of Madam Rukaya and all other acts of killings and violence to book. It is only through such swift actions of arresting and punishing such crimes that will send the right signals to the criminals to abandon their game.

Thankyou.

By: ALHAJI SHAIBU MUSAH GUTARE

CHAIRMAN, NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE BISSA DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION

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