The Birifor Youth Association in the Savannah Region has joined calls by some youth groups in the Region to petition government, National Security and Civil Society Organisations, among others against plans by the Bolewura, Sarfo Kutuge Feso I, to rename some seven hundred settler communities to indigenous Gonja names in the Bole Traditional Area.

Bolewura Sarfo Kutuge Feso I on Monday, July 4th, 2022 at a Traditional Council meeting with his Sub-chiefs, reached a decision to rename all settler communities in the Bole and Sawla-Tuna-Kalba Districts which fall under the Bole Traditional Council to avoid what they described as possible future land litigation, among others.

But reacting to the decision, the Birifor Youth Association in a statement signed by its National President, Vivien Ne-ormah Nyoni, has described the action as a looming security threat and a draconian directive by the Chief to take away their identity, historical and cultural heritage.

The Association is the second in the Region to raise questions over the Bolewura and the Bole Traditional Council's motives behind the pending exercise.

According to the Association, the entire Birifor people view the exercise by the Chief of Bole as a serious act of provocation, which has a high potential to breach the peace in the Traditional Area.

The Association said there is an audio currently in circulation which alleges the entire exercise is targeted at the Birifors.

"A letter and an audio recording circulating , has come to the notice of the Birifors in the said area. The Birifors are agitated, particularly, by the content of the audio recording in which the Bolewura stated unambiguously that the Birifors were his target group," the statement said.

The Association added that the action will curtail their civil liberties and constitutional rights as Birifor people in the Traditional Area.

The statement further said the Association will not give in to the adverse and malicious motives by the Chief of Bole which they said are detrimental to the development and aspirations of the Birifors.

"What is most intriguing about this absolute and archaic directive is the fact that the Birifor Community settlements have been in existence in the Bole Traditional Areas from time immemorial with the Birifor's names depicting their identity, historical and cultural heritage.

"We respect the Bole Traditional Authority for co-existing in peace with other ethnic groups, including Gonjas, and for being law-abiding citizens. Why would the Bolewura come out with this novelty, taking place in the Bole Traditional Area alone? One does not need rocket science to know that the Bolewura simply wants to oppress and suppress the enviable aspirations of the Birifor people which are largely centered on development," the statement insisted.

Meanwhile, the Association has assured all peace loving people in the area of its continuous commitment to peace.

"We are human beings like any other, living in the area and under the protection of the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana as Citizens," the statement concluded.