The Bimoba Traditional Council has challenged remarks attributed to the North East Regional Minister suggesting that communities experiencing chieftaincy or communal conflicts should not be prioritised for certain government development projects.
In a press statement issued in July, the Council said while it recognises that peace and stability are essential for sustainable development, conflict should not be used as a blanket justification for denying communities access to government interventions.
“Conflict, in itself, should neither become a blanket justification for withholding development nor serve as a convenient explanation for decisions that appear inconsistent with the principles of fairness and equity,” the statement said.
The Council expressed concern over what it described as “double standards” in the assessment of communities within the region, arguing that places such as Bunkpurugu, Nganma Gberuk and Naniik were being portrayed primarily through the lens of conflict without acknowledging other factors contributing to tensions.
According to the Council, sustainable peace cannot be achieved through selective attribution of blame but requires an objective assessment of all parties involved, including kingmakers whose actions, it alleged, have at times contributed to disputes within traditional areas.
The Council urged the Regional Minister to review his position with “greater objectivity, consistency, and impartiality,” stressing that public confidence in government is strengthened when development decisions are based on transparent and equitable criteria.
“Development must never be seen as a privilege extended to a select few but as a constitutional entitlement of every deserving community,” it stated.
The Council also questioned the exclusion of Gbintiri from the government’s 24-Hour Economy Market Initiative, arguing that the town does not face the level of conflict cited as justification for denying projects to other communities.
“If peace and stability are indeed the governing criteria, then Gbintiri market should have ranked among the foremost beneficiaries of the programme,” the statement said, adding that the omission raises legitimate questions about the standards used in distributing major national development projects.
Reaffirming its commitment to peace and dialogue, the Council said it remains ready to engage constructively with government and other stakeholders to promote unity and development across the North East Region.
It further called on the Regional Minister and all relevant authorities to ensure that decisions affecting communities in the region are guided by fairness, accountability and the national interest.
The statement concluded that equitable distribution of development projects, regardless of local challenges, is essential to promoting public confidence, strengthening social cohesion and advancing inclusive regional development.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
