A Historic Handshake: A Call for Peace and Unity in Bawku
By Opemsuo Radio | Special Feature
In the heart of northern Ghana lies the vibrant town of Bawku, a place that for decades has echoed both the beauty of its diverse people and the sorrow of its long-standing conflict. Today, a son of the Kusaug land pens this heartfelt appeal, not as a politician or a partisan voice, but as a humble messenger of peace — a plea rising from the depths of tradition, brotherhood, and unity. This is a call to His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the King of the Asante Kingdom and a revered figure whose voice has long carried weight in national affairs.
We appeal to Otumfuo, not as strangers, but as sons of the same soil — Ghanaian blood bound by centuries of shared history and cultural reverence. We call upon His Majesty to lead the way for reconciliation through a powerful, symbolic gesture: a warm handshake between the factions involved in the Bawku conflict. This is more than a political gesture; it is a cultural ceremony, a sacred rite of peace, an ancestral symbol that transcends spoken words — a handshake that seals forgiveness, understanding, and unity.
The Handshake: Symbol of Peace in Ghanaian Culture
In Ghanaian tradition, especially among the Akan and the Kusasi people, the handshake is not merely a greeting — it is a gesture that binds spirits, an act that declares trust and mutual respect. It is how kings end wars, how elders reconcile broken homes, how brothers who have wronged each other find the path back to kinship.
A historic handshake between the Kusaug leadership and the Nayiri gate, under the warm mediation of His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, would not just be a ceremony; it would be the beginning of healing for generations wounded by cycles of mistrust and violence. It would show that in our differences, we can still choose harmony. That in our pain, we can still choose peace.
A Plea From the Sons of Kusaug
We, the sons and daughters of Kusaug — from the grassroots to the diaspora — are weary of bloodshed. We are tired of the division that has stalled our development and clouded the futures of our children. We do not wish to apportion blame; instead, we wish to see a new dawn, one where our people walk freely, trade freely, and speak freely without fear of reprisals or suspicion.
We beg of His Royal Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to stretch forth the hand of wisdom, as he has done in many instances before. His legacy as a unifier, a peacemaker, and a father to the nation has earned him a special place not only in Ashanti or Bono, but in Mamprugu, Kusaug, Dagbon, and beyond. If there is anyone whose presence can soften hearts and awaken ancestral ties that bind rather than divide, it is Otumfuo.
Let this not be seen as a political maneuver. Let it not be misinterpreted as favoring one side over another. Let it be received as a Ghanaian moment — a national necessity. Let it be remembered as the day our elders chose peace over pride, unity over division, and a future of collaboration over a history of conflict.
Building a Future Together
The development potential of Bawku and its surrounding communities is enormous. With peace, the fertile lands can yield more. With unity, commerce can flourish again. With love, our youth can return home from the cities and invest in the land of their birth. But all this hinges on one thing — an end to hostility, and a return to brotherhood.
This historic handshake could become a landmark moment in Ghana’s democratic journey. It could become a model for resolving traditional disputes across the continent. Just like the South Africans had their Truth and Reconciliation Commission after apartheid, just like Rwanda rebuilt after the genocide, Bawku too can rise again. But first, our leaders must rise above past hurts.
Conclusion: One Ghana, One People
The smoke of the peace pipe must rise. Let the drummers beat the rhythms of unity once again. Let the griots tell the next generation how the kings and elders of Bawku met, not in battle, but in peace — with Otumfuo as the bridge. Let the handshake happen.
We urge all media, civic leaders, youth groups, religious institutions, and traditional councils to lend their voice to this call. This is not the time for silence. This is the time to speak peace, to act peace, and to live peace.
May the ancestors guide our leaders. May the spirits of unity and reconciliation descend. And may this handshake come to pass — not in secret, but in the full gaze of the nation — so that all may see that the people of Ghana, though different in tongue and tribe, are indeed one great people.
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