John Krugu, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) parliamentary candidate for Zebilla, has raised concerns over the alleged misuse of the Ghana Card to identify individuals’ tribal affiliations amidst the intensifying conflict in Bawku.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Monday, October 28, Mr. Krugu claimed that the Ghana Card is reportedly being exploited to single out individuals based on their tribal backgrounds, a practice he said has led to tragic outcomes.
Mr. Krugu described how the Presbyterian Hospital in Bawku has been overwhelmed by casualties from the violence. Efforts to transfer critically injured individuals to Bolgatanga have reportedly been unsuccessful, as roads in the area have been blocked due to the ongoing unrest.
He further revealed that the conflict has led to the deaths of individuals who were not part of the primary groups in the dispute, specifically Kusasis and Mamprusis, suggesting that the violence has affected people beyond the main factions.
Mr. Krugu’s remarks underline the complexity and spread of the conflict, which has intensified in recent days, raising significant security concerns across the region.
The situation has prompted increased police and military deployment in Bawku and its surrounding areas to curb further escalation and restore peace.
“I am aware that people have not slept in the last two nights. It has been a full-fledged war ongoing and now you have a situation where two factional chiefs are living next to each other. Bawku is not a big town and each side is aiming at getting to the other person so you have an illegitimate chief who is sitting there and then you have the existing chief who is celebrating 40 years on the throne and then you have young men who are losing their lives.
“Last night, we got the message that there was no space to keep the injured at the Presbyterian Hospital, roads were blocked and you cannot carry the injured to Bolgatanga for treatment. The roads between Bolga and Tamale were blocked and people were being asked for their Ghana Cards to identify their tribal affiliation and to kill them.
“I am aware that some people who do not belong to the two tribes were mistakenly killed and this is a sad situation that we are having.”
Eight travellers lost their lives after gunmen blocked the Bolgatanga-Tamale highway near Gbimsi, a community close to Walewale, and opened fire on Sunday, October 27.
Passengers caught in the blockade faced interrogation over their identities, and in the deadly incident, approximately eight people were killed, while two vehicles were set ablaze, sparking significant security concerns.
