An appeal has been made to the government, through the Deputy Upper East Regional Minister and the Member of Parliament for the Zebilla constituency, Frank Fuseini Adongo to as a matter of urgency intervene with the Burkinabe authorities to resolve the Chieftaincy dispute that erupted in Zoaga a town in Burkina Faso.
Some of the residents in the area are currently seeking refuge in Widnaaba, Tili among other communities in the Bawku West District.
This came to light when the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Organization visited the refugees.
The team led by the MP for Zebila constituency, Frank Fuseini Adongo, who is also the Deputy Upper East Regional Minister donated some relief items to the refugees.
About 205 refugees mostly women and children and lactating mothers are currently languishing in Widnaba, a suburb near in Zebila-capital of Bawku West distirct.
Widnaba is a farming community where Ghana share borders with Burkina Faso in the Bawku West District.
Some of the refugees who fled to Ghana for fear of been killed are also scatted all over Bawku municipality and its environs.
The Dispute erupted between two brothers over the Chieftaincy title. Naba Ouare Vincent, with the skin title Sa Majesta Naba Baudou and his contender Ouare Tampiga at Zoaga, a town in Burkina Faso.
The protracted conflict escalated on January, 25 2019, when Naba Baudou went with his 17Kings men to perform their annual sacrifices to the ancestral Shrines.
While performing the sacrifice, a mob numbering about hundred from his contender’s side Tampiga attacked them chanting that Naba Baudou must be use for the sacrifice.
A 55 year old, Dabre Sibre, said it was impossible to kill the only recognized chief of Zaoga. Dabre was shot together with his son Amidu Sibre 37 years old.
Dabreh died instantly while the son managed to escape to safety.
The remaining 15, together the chief had to flee for safety.
The mob then proceeded to Naba Baudou’s clan and set ablaze all the houses of his relatives including his Palace.
All, but the Regalia the symbol of his chieftaincy was not burned and his mother bolted away with the Regalia.
Speaking to Radio Ghana, the Naba Baudou indicated that, he is the 9th Chief to the throne and wandered why his contender Tampiga was perusing fiercely, what rightfully belongs to him.
Sa Majaste Naba Baudou lamented that all efforts made in getting authorities in Burkina Faso to find a lasting solution to the conflict have proved futile simply because the District Chief Executive of Zoaga is an accomplice himself hence his refuge seeking in Ghana with his people.
A victim, 20 year old girl Justine Ouare, a JHS student appealed to authorities in Ghana and Burkina Faso to work together to resolve the conflict for them to return and continue their education adding that life in Widnaba is unbearable.
The relief items include 8 bales of used clothing, 200 blankets, 50 mats, plastic buckets and cups, 2 maxi bags of maize and 15 bags of rice among others.
Naba Baudou who received the relief items on behalf of his people, thanked the the Deputy Upper East Regional Minister and MP for the area for the timely intervention to save his people from dying.
He added that life for the past five days has been terrible.
Widnaba is one of the deprive communitied in the Bawku West District.
The lack all the basic amenities including potable drinking water, road network among others.
The people in the area are into subsistence farming with a population of over two thousand.
The influx of these Burkinabes in the area will further worsen the plight of the people in Widnaba.
As at the time of filing this report, the DCE for Zebilla, Victoria Ayamba, disclosed to Radio Ghana that, the Burkinabe soldiers have taken over Zoaga town and are rather feasting on the animals of the refugees that are left behind but no one so far have crossed over to Ghana, to find out how their people are fairing.
Story by Emmanuel Akayeti
