There is an urgent need for Ghana’s national security architecture operating in the Bawku conflict area to genuinely listen to the concerns, values, and interests of the people and settlers involved. This inclusive approach is essential to finding a lasting solution to the protracted conflict in the region.
In recent times, tensions have escalated, with clashes between groups of youth and security personnel—police and military—deployed to maintain law and order. The presence of these forces has increasingly come under scrutiny, with accusations from some communities that the troops are biased in favor of certain ethnic groups, further fueling mistrust and division.
Currently, it is reported that approximately six million Ghana cedis is being spent each month to manage the situation in Bawku—a substantial burden on the national budget. There is a growing consensus that a more sustainable and effective solution is needed.
Security, Intelligence, and Conflict Analyst, Anthony Acquaye, shared his views on the Adekyee Mu Nsem morning show on Ahotor 92.3 FM, hosted by Citizen Kofi Owusu in Accra. He emphasized that the continued deployment of security forces in the area has outlived its usefulness and called for a shift in strategy.
According to Acquaye, a primary and more engaging approach is needed—one that brings together the central stakeholders, including chiefs, tribal heads, landowners, and political actors. He stressed the importance of identifying the true causes and consequences of the conflict directly from the communities involved. This grassroots engagement, he argued, must form the basis for any roadmap toward peace and reconciliation.
Additionally, Acquaye highlighted the need for the central government and security institutions to ensure a level playing field where justice is seen to be delivered fairly. Restoring trust in the security forces is critical, especially as officers in the area have become targets due to perceptions of bias and ineffectiveness.
In a related development, renowned Security Analyst Professor Kwesi Aning has also criticized the government’s handling of the Bawku crisis, describing the current response as weak and ineffective.
His comments follow a recent incident in the Binduri area of the Upper East Region, which resulted in the tragic deaths of three people, including two young police officers.
Professor Aning expressed concern about what he described as a passive government approach to the escalating violence. “I am convinced that we are only pussyfooting, hoping that the crisis will somehow resolve itself. But it won’t,” he warned, underscoring the need for immediate and decisive action.
He pointed to the alarming rise of armed groups in the region and the widespread availability of weapons and ammunition as major obstacles to peace. “Every single day, those holding the guns are becoming more emboldened. The more power they feel they have, the more difficult it will be to regain control,” he cautioned.
Professor Aning emphasized that the conflict, originally rooted in ethnic tensions and chieftaincy disputes, has now grown beyond local boundaries. “This is not just a Ghanaian problem—it is increasingly becoming a West African problem,” he stated, urging for coordinated and robust national intervention.
With lives being lost and entire communities destabilized, he concluded with a powerful message: “Hoping that the crisis will go away on its own is not just unrealistic—it is dangerous.”
Story by: Alexander Kukah
kukahalexander7@gmail.com
