The British High Commissioner in Accra, Nicholas Westcott, on Tuesday appealed to the feuding factions in the Bawku conflict to do everything possible to resolve their differences through dialogue. The United Kingdom, he recalled, experienced a similar situation in Northern Ireland between the Catholics and Protestants some years ago, and the lesson learnt from that conflict was that "peace can only be achieved through dialogue and not through violence". He said that peace was achieved some five years ago, after untold hardships of poverty, loss of lives and property. Making the appeal at separate meetings with the Kusasis and Mamprusis at Bawku, Mr Wescott who was in Bawku as part of a tour of the North, said he has heard and read a lot about the situation in Bawku and felt obliged to visit the area personally to assess the situation, with the view of assisting in the restoration of peace. Having stressed that poverty thrives on conflicts, he urged the Kusasis and the Mamprusis to resort to dialogue to attain peace in the area. With peace, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other development partners will be in Bawku to contribute their quota towards the development of the place and alleviating poverty, Mr Westcott pointed out. He asked them to exhibit wisdom in their deliberations on issues concerning the conflict to facilitate the return of peace to the area. Responding to an invitation to the Bawku Naba’s Samanpiid festival in December, Mr Westcott said he would attend, provided, the Kusasis and Mamprusis co-exist. He promised linking up Bawku with a city in Britain for a sister-city relationship. Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, the Bawku Naba, assured the High Commissioner that the conflict would belong to history so long as he remained the Bawku-Naba. Naba Azoka commended the British government for its continuous contribution to Ghana’s development and mentioned in particular the 42.5 million pound sterling grant for free medical care for expectant mothers. Alhaji Akalifa Bugri, a Mamprusi elder, speaking on behalf of his people, expressed concern about how chieftaincy dispute, had plunged Bawku into chaos. In appreciation of his concern for peace in the Bawku area, the Mamprusis conferred the title ‘Man-Naba’ (peace or development provider) on the High Commissioner. Mr Westcott also held meetings with the military – cum – police detachment at Bawku at which Chief Superintendent Peter Mawong, the Bawku Divisional Police Commander and Captain Victor Abbey, Officer Commanding the Airborne Force detachment took turns to brief him on the situation. Mr Mawong assured of the security forces’ neutrality in the conflict while Captain Abbey said even though the Bawku situation was challenging, the security personnel will do all within their power to contain it. Source: The Ghanaian Times