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Tag: Bawku

  • We will never become a servant to the Mamprusi – Kusasi Chief on Bawku crisis

    We will never become a servant to the Mamprusi – Kusasi Chief on Bawku crisis

    A Kusasi Chief in Bawku, Thomas Abiladziu, claims that the Kusasis will sacrifice themselves to maintain their control over Bawku.

    During a conflict between two tribes about who should be in charge of the Bawku community, a significant chieftaincy dispute broke out in Bawku.

    The Kusasis, who already control the chieftaincy in Bawku, are not willing to give up their position to the Mamprusis. Moreover, the Mamprusis have vowed not to submit to Kusasi control.

    This conflict has been going on for a very long time, costing people their lives and destroying their property.

    There have been several appeals and negotiations between the government and the people of Bawku to allow peace to reign by settling on one tribe to rule them.

    For the umpteenth time of appeal from the government after a series of clashes a curfew was imposed in Bawku in August 2022.

    http://backend.theindependentghana.com/akufo-addo-in-crunch-meeting-over-new-bawku-naba/

    Security measures to deal with the situation were extended to neighbouring communities, with an outright ban on the use of tricycles in Bawku and its environs.

    Heads of Basic schools in the area, therefore, requested the Ghana Education Service to shut down schools for fear of their lives.

    Speaking on Morning Starr Mr. Thomas Abiladzi said,” The whole area is tensed up and we will die for our right. Why did Ghana fight for independence, will the British come back and say that we want to continue ruling because we are misruling ourselves, even if they think so? That is a dream, they have started a process that is likely to lead to failure. We don’t want any so-called newly appointed chief to come to Bawku and rule. Rule over who? Rule in the jurisdiction of the Mamprusi or does he think he can rule over even one area outside the enclave of the Mamprusi in Bawku,” he asked?

    http://backend.theindependentghana.com/government-opposes-enskinment-of-new-bawku-naba/

    He added that they will not accept a chief from the Mamprusi tribe to rule over them.

    “We the Kusasis’ will never surrender to become a servant to a Mamprusi. We liberated ourselves in 1967, we are stronger today than that time. We will resist any attempt to impose a seat in Bawku on the Kusasi people. Everybody knows that we have matured long time ago. They shouldn’t take us for granted”, he explained.

    He added, “What they have done is to trigger violence and we have advised our people to remain calm and see what these law enforcement agencies will do. If some people can disregard the law and act these impunities without any reaction then we are entitled to also defend ourselves. Nobody can impose a traditional ruler in Bawku. If the Mamprusi overlord says that he is the overlord of the Kusasis’ in the past then he is living in some wonderland. Kusasi area is made up of 6 administrative districts just as he has. He cannot come to impose any chief on us”.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Terrorism is closer than we think – Expert warns

    Terrorism is closer than we think – Expert warns

    Security Expert, Adib Saani has expressed concern over the escalation of the conflict in Bawku in the Upper East Region, contending that it is a recipe for terrorism in the country.

    “I was reading a certain report that points to the possibility of terrorists instrumentalising the conflict situation in Bawku and the need for us to be very careful because high-handedness can lead to more people joining the terrorists,” he indicated.

    Speaking on Prime Morning, Adib Saani said that there have already been several attempts by terrorists to invade the country.

    “Besides, about a year ago, there was a police cable that pointed to the presence of certain individuals from Burkina Faso who have actually come to fight in Bawku and were on their way back hence the Upper East Regional Police Command should be on the lookout.”

    “Not too long after that, there was another national security information that pointed to some movements concerning persons fitting the description of suspected terrorists in that area, so it wouldn’t be wild for anyone to pose it that perhaps they might have even come in already and either sides of the conflict might have made gestures to these militants to join them in the fight”, he said.

    The security expert continued that the country recently received refugees from Burkina Faso due to their deteriorating security situation and that there is a high probability that some terrorists may disguise themselves as refugees just to join them and enter into Ghana.

    “Because usually the movement is uncoordinated, unplanned, it’s sporadic, when they attack the villages at night they just leave, whatever they wear is what they enter into Ghana with and because we don’t have relief agencies on hand to receive them, by the time they get to them they have moved to Kumasi and other parts of the country”, Adib said.

    He also mentioned that the Burkinabe authorities gave weapons to its civilians in the name of volunteerism against the spread of jihadism hence terrorists go to villages attacking the volunteers.

    “The volunteers might mix up with the refugees and come into Ghana and the probability of the terrorists chasing the volunteers into Ghana’s territory one day is very high so we need to really be on the lookout”.

    Adib said that government cannot do this alone hence it should collaborate with CSOs and NGOs that are active on the ground especially in implementing the “See something, say something” policy.

    He added that from a recent survey they conducted, it is evident that the ordinary Ghanaian has little knowledge in security culture and even the identification of terrorists.

    He therefore urged government and other security agencies to deeply educate Ghanaians and create more security awareness in the country.

    Source: Myjoyonline

  • Upper East MPs call out overlord of Mamprugu over enskinment of new Bawku chief

    Upper East MPs call out overlord of Mamprugu over enskinment of new Bawku chief

    Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Upper East Region have condemned the installation of a rival chief for Bawku by the Overlord of the Mamprugu Traditional Area, Naa Bohugu Mahami Abdulai Sherigah II.

    According to the MPs, the existing Bawku Naba, Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, is the true king of the Kusawgu Traditional who has been chief of the area for over 30 years.

    Speaking on behalf of the Upper East MP, the MP for Zebilla, Cletus Avoka, said that the action of Naa Bohugu Sherigah II was wrong and is likely to aggravate the already precarious situation in Bawku.

    “Naa Bohagu Abdulai Mahama Sheriga ll has purported to enskinned a rival chief for Bawku. This is unacceptable and should not come from a person of his stature. Such purported enskinment is null and avoid and will not be recognized by any institution under the 1992 Constitution.

    “The Zugurana, Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, who is the Bawku Naba and the president of Kusawgu Traditional Council remains the only recognized paramount chief of the Kusawgu Traditional Area as recognized by law.

    “The Government of Ghana must take every step to ensure the maintenance of peace and security and hold perpetrators of this criminal act accountable. Meanwhile, the MPs for the area call on the people of Kusaugu Traditional Area and its environs to remain calm and assure them that this unlawful conduct will not stand,” he said.

    He added that the MPs are observing the level of seriousness the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government will attach to help resolve the impasse in Bawku.

    The MPs who were six in number included: Cletus Apul Avoka, MP for Zebilla; Mahama Ayariga, MP for Bawku Central; Abanga Abdulai, MP for Binduri; Hajia Laadi Ayii Ayamba, MP for Pusiga; Lydia Lamisi Akanvariba, MP for Tempane and Albert Akuka Alalzuuga, MP for Garu.

    Background:

    The Overlord of the Mamprugu Traditional Area, Naa Bohugu Mahami Abdulai Sherigah II, enskinned a new chief for Bawku in the early hours of Wednesday, February 15, 2023.

    The new chief, who was enskinned at the Nayiri palace in Nalerigu, is called Alhaji Seidu Abagre, GhanaWeb can confirm.

    Jubilations were seen all over the forecourt of the Nayiri palace in Nalerigu, the North East Regional capital, as well as the traditional city of Mamprugu.

    Meanwhile, soldiers were at Nayiri’s Palace to ensure that there is peace and security while the residents jubilated.

    The new chief enskinned, Alhaji Seidu Abagre, is expected to be accompanied by some elders from the Nayiri Palace to Bawku after they perform all the traditional activities in Nalerigu.

    The Government of Ghana has, however, condemned the installation of a new chief for Bawku by the Overlord of the Mamprugu Traditional Area, Naa Bohugu Mahami Abdulai Sherigah II.

    In a statement issued by the Ministry for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, the government said that Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II is still the Bawku Naba.

    It added that the security apparatus in Bawku has been instructed to arrest anybody who holds himself out as Bawku Naba other than Naba Abugrago Azoka II.

    There has been heightened tension in Bawku as a result of renewed sporadic gunshots in the outskirts of the Bawku township.

    At least 6 people, according to a Joy News report, were killed, and 10 injured in fresh shootings in Bawku on Wednesday, February 8, 2022.

    The Overlord of the Mamprugu Traditional Area, Naa Bohagu Abdulai Mahama Sheriga ll, in March 2022, pledged to find a lasting peace to the long-winded Bawku Chieftaincy dispute which has eliminated many lives following the disturbances in the area.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Akufo-Addo in crunch meeting over new Bawku Naba

    Akufo-Addo in crunch meeting over new Bawku Naba

    According to reports, President Akufo-Addo met with a few of his cabinet ministers to discuss the appointment of a new chief for Bawku.

    The president discussed the new development with the ministers of defense, interior, local government, and information as well as the directors of the nation’s main security agencies, according to a news report by citinewsroom.com.

     Akufo-Addo is said to have stated that his administration would see to the resolution of the chieftaincy conflict.

    “Unfortunately, it’s a poor time for us; we have first of all a big crisis on our hands in Bawku as we speak. Things are happening which are causing a lot of problems for the security there, and I was in a meeting with them,” the president is quoted to have said.

    The Overlord of the Mamprugu Traditional Area, Naa Bohugu Mahami Abdulai Sherigah II, enskinned a new chief for Bawku in the early hours of Wednesday, February 15, 2023.

    The new chief, who was enskinned at the Nayiri palace in Nalerigu, is called Alhaji Seidu Abagre, GhanaWeb can confirm.

    Jubilations were seen all over the forecourt of the Nayiri palace in Nalerigu, the North East Regional capital, as well as the traditional city of Mamprugu.

    Meanwhile, soldiers were at the Nayiri’s Palace to ensure that there is peace and security while the residents jubilated.

    The new chief enskinned, Alhaji Seidu Abagre, is expected to be accompanied by some elders from the Nayiri Palace to Bawku after they perform all the traditional activities in Nalerigu.

    The Government of Ghana has, however, condemned the installation of a new chief for Bawku by the Overlord of the Mamprugu Traditional Area, Naa Bohugu Mahami Abdulai Sherigah II.

    In a statement issued by the Ministry for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, the government said that Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II is still the Bawku Naba.

    It added that the security apparatus in Bawku has been instructed to arrest anybody who holds himself out as Bawku Naba other than Naba Abugrago Azoka II.

    There has been heightened tension in Bawku as a result of renewed sporadic gunshots in the outskirts of the Bawku township.

    At least 6 people, according to a Joy News report, were killed, and 10 injured in fresh shootings in Bawku on Wednesday, February 8, 2022.

    The Overlord of the Mamprugu Traditional Area, Naa Bohagu Abdulai Mahama Sheriga ll, in March 2022, pledged to find a lasting peace to the long-winded Bawku Chieftaincy dispute which has eliminated many lives following the disturbances in the area.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Government reacts to enskinment of new Bawku Naba; says it’s illegal

    Government reacts to enskinment of new Bawku Naba; says it’s illegal

    Government has waded into the enkinsment of a new Chief in Bawku. According to the Information Ministry, the enskinment of the new Bawku Naba at Nalerigu is illegal. 

    In a press release issued by the Ministry on Wednesday, February 15, the government said the act is a national security violation. 

    “The Government condemns developments in Nalerigu today February 15, 2023, concerning the purported enskinment of a new Bawku Naba as illegal and a threat to National Security,” excerpt of the statement signed by Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said.

    Enskinment of new Bawku Naba illegal - Government

    The statement continued that “Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II is the Bawku Naba, duly gazetted and a member of the National and Upper East Regional Houses of Chiefs.”

    It has therefore, directed the security agencies to arrest and prosecute any other person who holds himself out as a Bawku Naba.

    “Further, any developments that have the potential to undermine the peace of Bawku will also be dealt with swiftly and in accordance with law,” the statement added. 

    Source: Myjoyonline

  • 5,000 additional soldiers to be deployed to calm tensions in Bawku

    5,000 additional soldiers to be deployed to calm tensions in Bawku

    Over 5,000 additional soldiers will be deployed to help calm tensions in Bawku by close of the week to help maintain peace and security in the face of the ongoing conflict.

    Palgrave Boakye Danuquah, the government’s spokesperson on governance and security, stated that the issue is being approached holistically in order to find a long-term solution.

    The government’s position, he explained, is for peace to reign in Bawku.

    ”Our position is that peace must prevail. We have called on the inhabitants of Bawku to ensure that they appreciate peace and appreciate the dialogue and also that they try as much as possible that in their idle time, they do not arouse conversations that will bring disturbances to them.

    Asa government, we are deploying by close of this week close to 5,000 military people to be in that area. We already have a military presence in there, but we are adding on just to ensure that peace prevails.”

    He added that the government is not only focused on the Bawku conflict but the influx of vulnerable persons from Burkina Faso.

    ”We are not just dealing with Bawku. We are also dealing with the influx of very vulnerable people that are coming in from Burkina Faso as a result of terrorism whom we are putting into various camps. It bewilders very much on the people of Bawku and the inhabitants to really ensure that peace prevails.”

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Bawku residents warned against using violence to settle disputes

    Bawku residents warned against using violence to settle disputes

    The excessive politicization of the Bawku conflict has been criticized by Emmanuel Bombande, a former executive director of the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding and a specialist in conflict resolution and peacebuilding.

    He said the lack of political will to resolve the conflict is a worrying development, stating that the rule of law must be enforced to protect human lives.

    Speaking on GBC’s Current Affairs programme ‘Talking Point’ which discussed the Bawku conflict, Mr. Bombande said a life lost in the conflict is one too many.

    He cautioned aggrieved persons, especially the youth against resorting to violence to resolve their grievances.

    Government Spokesperson on Governance and Security, Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, disclosed that about five thousand military personnel will be deployed to Bawku and its environs to beef up security in the area.

    He said the government is committed to ensuring that peace is restored to the area. Mr. Boakye-Danquah also encouraged the people to appreciate peace and avoid tendencies that could trigger violence.

  • Bawku conflict: 27 unborn babies, women dead

    Bawku conflict: 27 unborn babies, women dead

    The chaos in Bawku has led to the death of 27 pregnant women and their unborn babies over inability to access hospital.

    Between 2021 and last year, 27 pregnant women in need of critical medical attention died in the Bawku municipality, a senior health officer at the Upper East Regional Directorate of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Majeed Sulemana, has disclosed.

    Whereas 20 of the pregnant women died in 2021, seven had died by the end of December last year.

    “This is as a result of the inability of the pregnant women to visit and receive medical care at the Bawku Presbyterian Hospital, the only major referral health facility in the heart of the municipality,” he said.

    In an interview with the Daily Graphic last Friday, Mr Sulemana said the 27 maternal deaths recorded in the Bawku municipality accounted for 39 per cent of the 70 maternal deaths recorded in the region for the two years.

    He explained that the Bawku Hospital served patients from the municipality and others from the Pusiga, Garu, Tempane and Binduri districts due to the absence of district hospitals in those districts areas.

    He explained that some of the pregnant women died due to their inability to get to hospital, while others managed to get to the hospital but still passed on because of the limited number of staff, which resulted in delays in administering the required medical care.

    He noted that the security situation in the Bawku municipality was very disturbing and an impediment to the delivery of quality health care to patients, especially pregnant women, children and the aged.

    Health staff movement

    The senior health officer expressed worry over the fact that the staff of the hospital lived among Mamprusis and Kusasis in their communities, which put the lives of the health workers at risk, stressing that “some of the health staff are seen to be sympathisers of the feuding parties, since they stay with them”.

    “This has made it very difficult for such staff to come out of their homes to work, since they fear for their lives, a development which continues to have a negative toll on the operations of the hospital,” Mr Sulemana lamented.

    He added that due to the increased insecurity in the municipality, there was high demand for transfer among staff to leave the municipality to work in health facilities in other districts.

    “Definitely, there is high demand for transfer among staff, but if you want to grant everyone, there will not be any staff to work in the hospital,” he pointed out.

    Hospital’s operation

    Mr Sulemana said the Bawku Presbyterian Hospital was currently not operating at optimum level, since residents were not patronising the facility.

    “For instance, the clinic for HIV patients has been temporarily closed down, since the staff are indigenes who live among the feuding parties and are unable to come to work,” he explained.

    In the interim, he said, the management of the hospital was relying on some adjunct staff to render services to HIV patients who really needed comprehensive medical care.

    He appealed for calm in the area to enable health staff to provide the needed health care they are trained to provide, noting that “if the staff are unable to practise due to the conflict, it will have a negative impact on their skills and knowledge”.

    “Our prayer is that calm should return to the municipality, so that the staff can provide their professional services for patients,” he averred.

    REGSEC visit

    Last Monday, the Upper East Regional Minister, Stephen Yakubu, led members of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) to interact with the feuding parties, with the aim of restoring peace to the area.

    The meeting was against the backdrop of the recent killing of some 10 residents, allegedly by the military.

    Since the REGSEC’s visit, a number of people have been killed, including one Fatau Nambe, a national security operative.

    Source: Myjoyonline

  • Security analyst cites ‘intelligence failure’ in recent Bawku conflict

    Security analyst cites ‘intelligence failure’ in recent Bawku conflict

    A Conflict and Security Analyst has intimated that a failure in intelligence has resulted in the resurfacing conflicts in Bawku.

    According to him, government would have noted the resurgence of the conflict since the previous year if due diligence on information gathering were done.

    “We all understand that the government has been reactive and probably there was a failure in intelligence. If intelligence was working, the state should have known sometime late last year thereabout that there were signs of conflict erupting in Bawku,” he said.

    Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile Saturday, the expert called for the need to “deepen” intelligence, saying that the mere deployment of military soldiers to the Northern Region would not yield positive results.

    The retired colonel further recommended that the parties involved in the conflict should not be labelled.

    He explained that for instance labelling a party as “criminals” is an approach that is counterproductive in conflict resolution.

    The Security expert, therefore, advised the authorities to be measured in their statements.

    In the wake of consistent reports on issues of tribal conflicts at Bawku, military soldiers were deployed there to maintain sanity.

    However, in the process of maintaining peace and order as indicated by the Ghana Armed Forces, some 10 civilians lost their lives as soldiers tried “neutralising” persons reported to have wielded weapons.

    Subsequently, the Bawku Central MP, Mahama Ayariga in a statement condemned the activities of the military soldiers, accusing them of admitting wrongdoing.

    He has since called for the families of the deceased persons to be compensated.

    Given the situation, conflict zones were placed under curfew for a period of time.

    However, Colonel Aboagye is of the view that the curfew which seeks to cease the movements of persons and motorcycles, would exacerbate the living conditions of individuals in the affected areas.

    Meanwhile, there are fears that apart from political influences, jihadist activities could also be fueling the said conflicts.

    Source: Myjoyonline.Com

  • Bawku clash is fuel by criminal activities, not chieftaincy – Nitiwul

    Bawku clash is fuel by criminal activities, not chieftaincy – Nitiwul

    The dispute in Bawku, according to defense minister Dominic Nitiwul, revolves more around criminality than chieftaincy.

    He said he has asked the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to deal with the situation.

    Speaking in Parliament on “What is happening today is not about chieftaincy. It is criminality. Those operating are criminals.

    “I have asked members of the armed forces to deal with such persons as pure criminals.

    “The government has done what it can on its part to ensure that Bawku is peaceful. We have moved Bawku from 50 to 400 soldiers, so we are sending another 500 military task force to Bawku alone next week.”

    Last week, the Upper East Regional Security Council (REGSEC) war residents of Bawku not to engage in an exchange of fire with the Military.

    The REGSEC held an emergency on Thursday, February 2 2023 to review the security situation in  Bawku.

    Following the meeting, a statement released said “REGSEC calls on the people of Bawku to remain calm as it works to bring lasting peace in Bawku .

    “REGSEC asked factions to desist from any attempt to engage the Miluray in combat since that will be catastrophic on the part of civilians.”

    The military in Bawku was accused of killing some residents.

    It was alleged by some individuals in Bawku that soldiers deployed on Operation Gongong to restore calm in the area are killing innocent Kusasi youth and women in their homes and communities.

    It was also alleged that military personnel have seized Zoogin, a Kusasi community.

    But the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) refuted these allegations.

    “GAF wishes to categorically state that these allegations are false and unfounded,” a statement said.

    It further explained that information received from the National Investigations Bureau by the Operation Gongong Team of GAF early this week indicated that passengers on board a yellow KIA Grand Bird Bus with Registration Number AS 3672-21 travelling from Accra to Missiga were attacked by unknown gunmen around Kpawelga on the Bawku Highways.

    The gunmen fired through the tyre and engine compartment of the vehicle. The bus is currently packed at Assylum Down, Bawku Divisional Police Station for the investigation to be conducted.

    Also one KIA Rhino truck with registration number AS 7093-17 was hit and the driver of the truck, Alhassan Abdella aged 40, from the Gonja tribe sustained a gunshot wound on the left foot. He is currently receiving treatment at the Bawku Presbyterian Hospital.

    Again, it added, on Wednesday 1 February 2023, gunshots were heard around South Natinga in Bawku. A Patrol Team rushed to the general area of the shooting where a suspect, Abdul Malik Haruna, aged 35 from the Mamprusi tribe was arrested. He has since been handed over to the Bawku Police for further investigation.

    “It must be also placed on record that based on a tip off by the Bawku Police on the hideout of the suspects alleged to be involved in the firing incident at Bawku, troops conducted cordon and search operations together with Bawku Police at Pateleme General Area.

    “Three suspects, Fatau Alhassan Binda, aged 42, Abubakar Iddrisu, aged 44 and Alhassan Mustapha Binda, aged 33, all from the Dagomba tribe were arrested in a house at Pateleme. They were handed over to the Bawku Police for further investigations,” the statement said.

  • Criticize politicians for causing Bawku crisis – Vladimir Antwi-Danso

    Criticize politicians for causing Bawku crisis – Vladimir Antwi-Danso

    Dean of the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Professor Vladimir Antwi-Danso, has blamed politicians for inciting Bawku dispute despite the grave consequences for peace and order.

    Professor Antwi-Danso claims that due to the political character of the problem, the war has been ongoing for more than 100 years with decreasing chances of achieving a lasting resolution.

    He pointed out that the matter remains difficult to resolve because the two feuding factions are politically aligned, which makes it very challenging for the security authorities to restore calm in the region.

    According to him, the conflict now poses a severe security threat to the nation since one of the fighting factions could call on terrorists to aid them in their cause, which situation could result in a catastrophe for national security.

    “It is because of politics that’s why we cannot fight the Bawku conflict. It is just politics…the Bawku conflict has been in existence for over 100 years old, so if every government was to implement peace resolution measures since then, we could have resolved the matter.

    “But as times go on, the conflict becomes severe day in and day out. Whether you like it or not, the Kusasis are NDC and the Mamprusis are also NPP. Why should we experience this? This is the political angle, when there’s a crime there’s a crime.

    “I’m most worried about the security threat that this conflict is posing to the country because if we don’t take care, a group can invite terrorists to support them in the fight and that will be a national disaster,” he said.

    In an interview with Accra-based Peace FM, the academician made a suggestion that it is now time for the media and all Ghanaians to use a name-and-shame approach to expose the perpetrators of the dispute and aid in reestablishing peace in the area and the entire country.

    Background:

    It may be recalled that personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces who were deployed to Bawku to maintain law and order were accused by some residents of allegedly killing at least 10 unarmed civilians from Kusasi in their homes and communities.

    Meanwhile, according to a publication by the BBC published on February 2, 2023, Mahama Ayariga was reported to have accused the military of being behind the deaths and called for an immediate investigation.

    Mahama Ayariga went a step further to petition the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate the killings of 10 citizens and also demanded GH¢500,000 compensation for each deceased person.

    On the other hand, the Ghana Armed Forces in a press statement signed by the Director of Public Relations, Naval Captain Michael Addo Larbie, described the allegations as “false” and “untrue.”

  • Vladimir Antwi-Danso accuses politicians of fueling conflicts in Bawku

    Vladimir Antwi-Danso accuses politicians of fueling conflicts in Bawku

    Dean of the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Professor Vladimir Antwi-Danso says the conflicts in Bawku is politically motivated.

    He accused politicians of fueling the Bawku conflict despite severe repercussions for peace and order.

    Professor Antwi-Danso claims that due to the political character of the problem, the war has been ongoing for more than 100 years with decreasing chances of achieving a lasting resolution.

    He pointed out that the matter remains difficult to resolve because the two feuding factions are politically aligned, which makes it very challenging for the security authorities to restore calm in the region.

    According to him, the conflict now poses a severe security threat to the nation since one of the fighting factions could call on terrorists to aid them in their cause, which situation could result in a catastrophe for national security.

    “It is because of politics that’s why we cannot fight the Bawku conflict. It is just politics…the Bawku conflict has been in existence for over 100 years old, so if every government was to implement peace resolution measures since then, we could have resolved the matter.

    “But as times go on, the conflict becomes severe day in and day out. Whether you like it or not, the Kusasis are NDC and the Mamprusis are also NPP. Why should we experience this? This is the political angle, when there’s a crime there’s a crime.

    “I’m most worried about the security threat that this conflict is posing to the country because if we don’t take care, a group can invite terrorists to support them in the fight and that will be a national disaster,” he said.

    In an interview with Accra-based Peace FM, the academician made a suggestion that it is now time for the media and all Ghanaians to use a name-and-shame approach to expose the perpetrators of the dispute and aid in reestablishing peace in the area and the entire country.

    Background:

    It may be recalled that personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces who were deployed to Bawku to maintain law and order were accused by some residents of allegedly killing at least 10 unarmed civilians from Kusasi in their homes and communities.

    Meanwhile, according to a publication by the BBC published on February 2, 2023, Mahama Ayariga was reported to have accused the military of being behind the deaths and called for an immediate investigation.

    Mahama Ayariga went a step further to petition the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate the killings of 10 citizens and also demanded GH¢500,000 compensation for each deceased person.

    On the other hand, the Ghana Armed Forces in a press statement signed by the Director of Public Relations, Naval Captain Michael Addo Larbie, described the allegations as “false” and “untrue.”

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Bawku dispute won’t be exploited by terrorists to invade Ghana – Mahama Ayariga

    Bawku dispute won’t be exploited by terrorists to invade Ghana – Mahama Ayariga

    According to Mahama Ayariga, terrorists won’t use the Bawku crisis as a cover to enter Ghana.

    The legislator for the area doubted if Bawku will be a target for the operation of terrorist activities though Ghana’s borders seem porous.

    There have been reported cases of terrorist activities in neighbouring countries, with some neighbours seeking refuge in Ghana.

    Scores of people have lost their lives in the protracted conflict, with the latest being the shooting and killing of one person on Monday, February 6, 2023.

    Asked by the host of The Point of View Bernard Avle, if terrorists will not capitalise on the prolonged conflict in Bawku between the Kusasis and Mamprusis to cause mayhem in Ghana, the legislator noted that Ghanaians will only rise up against the country when there are no opportunities to vindicate their rights.

    “Bawku will not be the place where this will happen. People will turn against the state when they don’t have the remedies or opportunities to vindicate their rights. But if the state functions in such a way that everybody feels protected by the state, it’s most unlikely that they will turn against the state,” Mr. Ayariga said.

    He believes that Ghana has a functioning democracy where citizens can always seek redress if they feel disgruntled and will not rebel against the country.

    “I’m not worried in the case of Ghana because of the institutions and mechanisms we have put in place. Our democracy is functioning. No matter how disgruntled you are with this democracy, it is a functioning democracy, you can get remedies if you fight for it,” he stated.

    He called on the government to ensure that the citizens do not have issues with the state as it’s observed in neighbouring countries.

    “In Burkina Faso, those places that you saw the clustering of attacks, trust me people from Bawku drive across those places with trucks to Niger with onions, salt, and all sort of commodities. They drive through that territory, and if they stop you, and they found a national identity card or documents, some public documents that associate you with the state of Burkina Faso, you will be attacked. They might just kill you. They are attacking the state, they have issues with the state.”

    “We shouldn’t create a situation where our populace will have issues with their state. When the people have issues with the state, and they don’t feel that the mechanisms within the state afford them a remedy, that is when the state becomes a legitimate target for them,” the MP for Bawku central said.

    Mr. Ayariga who has accused the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) of killing some indigenes of Bawku has petitioned the Commission of Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).

    The legislator rejected GAF’s explanation that they engaged a group of armed men and neutralised six.

    “I reject their self-serving explanations. Did the statement say they retrieve any weapon from them? Clearly, these were not armed men,” Mr. Ayariga fumed.

  • Security Analyst says Bawku conflict is being fueled by politics

    Security Analyst says Bawku conflict is being fueled by politics

    A Security Analyst, Dr Vladimir Antwi-Danso, has asserted that politics is feeding the ongoing conflict in Bawku.

    Speaking in an interview on The Probe on Sunday, he said the current disturbances in the area are due to the way some politicians have taken an interest in the matter.

    According to him, his interaction with some security officials brought him into the knowledge of how some politicians are adding to the tensions in the area.

    He therefore called for such political interferences to cease in order to help restore calm in the area.

    “The conflict in Bawku if being fed by politics. So the politicians are also fueling it. They’re putting fuel into the whole thing. We don’t need them”, Dr Antwi-Danso stressed.

    He said efforts must rather be geared towards finding a lasting solution to the problem instead of the political interference.

    Last week, seven indigenes of the town were killed by some military personnel in the area.

    The death of these civilians sparked renewed conversations about the long-held conflicts in the area.

    But according to the military, the deceased were wielding guns and their actions sought to disrupt the peace in the area, hence they were ‘neutralised.’

    But Member of Parliament for the area, Mahama Ayariga, says he will seek justice for his constituents who were killed by the military.

    Despite the defence by the military, he stated in an interview on Newsfile on Saturday, that he will get to the root of the matter.

    He has petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) accordingly.

    Meanwhile, Dr Antwi-Danso has asserted that even though the reported killing of the civilians is unfortunate, it is not unexpected.

    He thus called on all stakeholders to work around the clock to restore the needed peace in the area, amidst the prevailing tensions.

    Source: Myjoyonline

  • Deputy Defence Minister assures public calm will be restored in Bawku

    Deputy Defence Minister assures public calm will be restored in Bawku

    Deputy Defence Minister, Kofi Amankwa-Manu, has urged calm among the citizenry, especially residents of Bawku following recent clashes in the area. He says security agencies in Bawku are working towards restoring peace.

    According to him, the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), made up of personnel of the National Investigation Bureau (NIB), Ghana Armed Forces and Ghana Police Service are collaborating to bring the situation under control.

    “Trust me, all the security agencies are working together. There is collaboration amongst all the security agencies. So we have the NIB doing their part, the military doing their part and the Police also doing their part. So we must continue to deepen that,” he assured.

    Mr. Amankwa-Manu gave the assurance during a discussion on JoyNews’ The Probe on Sunday.

    The topic for discussion was, “Lingering Bawku crisis and alleged military killings.”

    The Deputy Defence Minister however noted that to be able to put an end to the recurrent conflict in Bawku, the residents must be willing to collaborate with the security forces, “Intelligence is key and trust is also key. And then if we are able to do that and the people are able to sit together to discuss issues, I believe we can go somewhere with this.”

    It would be recalled that ten residents of Bawku were allegedly killed by men believed to be military officers in Bawku on February 2.

    However, the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) rejected the claims. According to GAF, the reportage is untrue and should be ignored. 

    A release issued and signed by GAF’s Director of Public Relations, chronicled several incidents of violent attacks in the area. It explained that the soldiers engaged a group of armed men and neutralised six of them.

    The Regional Minister and Chairman of the Security Council, Stephen Yakubu described the incident as unfortunate.

    “It is very sad that people have lost their lives, it is something that the Council wants to know what happened. But I also want to say that these troubles in Bawku are taking too long,” he said.

    But Member of Parliament for the area, Mahama Ayariga, says he will seek justice for his constituents who were killed by the military. Despite the defence by the military, he stated in an interview on Newsfile on Saturday, that he will get to the root of the matter. He has petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice accordingly.

    Source: Myjoyonline

  • The whole state security system must take Bawku violence seriously – Kofi Bentil

    The whole state security system must take Bawku violence seriously – Kofi Bentil

    Kofi Bentil, vice president of Imani Africa, has urged the government to take strict action to address the security issues in Bawku.

    He asserted that the longer it takes to resolve the delicate situation in the town, the more likely it is that residents will try to impose their own laws.

    “We need to have the whole state security system take Bawku seriously, because they are citizens of Ghana and then do everything to make sure that lives are not lost in vain.

    “If we do not do that, we will send a signal that when people lose their lives it does not matter and when we send those signals we are preparing ourselves for an explosion we cannot contain,” he is quoted to have said on JoyNews.

    The Bawku Central MP, Mahama Ayariga, had sworn to seek justice for seven of his people who he claimed had been killed by the military in the constituency during the course of the week.

    The military then published a letter to defend their course of conduct. They stated that six armed guys were neutralized by the army after they confronted the group of them.

    Mr. Bentil urges the government to propose solutions to the issue in light of this before the locals begin to believe they are not citizens of Ghana.

    “All of us citizens should be very worried, because if people lose their lives in a state which has a government and security agencies and nothing serious seem to be done about it, consistently you would have a situation where people will give up and they will tend to defend themselves,” he said.

    The Senior Vice President of Imani Ghana stressed that Ghana Armed Forces should review its approach to resolving the violence.

    “We are getting to the point where I can imagine there are people living in Bawku who do not feel Ghanaian and they do not feel that the army is on their side and they do not feel that the government protects them, they do not feel that the army is there for their sake.

    “God forbid if too many people in Bawku get that mindset, I do not think the people in Bawku are cowards or they are afraid of war per se,” he bemoaned.

    The Bawku Municipality has been a hotspot for a number of years now due to recurrent Chieftaincy conflicts.

  • KUSAUG chiefs call for restoration of peace in Bawku

    KUSAUG chiefs call for restoration of peace in Bawku

    Divisional chiefs of the KUSAUG Traditional Area are calling for an independent and non-partisan investigation into alleged shootings and killings of some residents in their jurisdiction.

    Residents of Bawku on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, accused the military deployed to Bawku of allegedly killing some civilians which allegation the military denies.

    But the divisional chiefs of the KUSAUG traditional area are demanding compensation for the bereaved families and urgent investigations to unravel the perpetrators of last Wednesday’s killings and appropriate punishment meted out to them to serve as a deterrent.

    Following the alleged military killings of almost ten civilians in Bawku, residents say they live in a state of fear and panic.

    Divisional chiefs and residents of KUSAUG bemoaned the prolonged acts of violence and criminality in the area and thus called for a lasting solution.

    They described the acts of alleged military killings in the area as unprofessional and unwarranted in a democratic dispensation.

    They expressed worry at the excesses of the military indicating that, persons who come into conflict with the laws of the land ought to be arrested and prosecuted but not killed.

    At a press conference in Bawku, the divisional chiefs, want government to as a matter of urgency commission an independent inquiry into the incident, punish persons found culpable, and compensate the bereaved families.

    Patrick Adakurugu who is the spokesperson for the KUSAUG traditional council said: “our overlord has constantly admonished us to prevail on our subjects to be peaceful. But for his exceptional patience and commitment to peace, the conflict in Bawku would have escalated to unimaginable proportions. It is in this context that we wish to express our deep concern over the spate of lawlessness and the killing of innocent civilians by the military personnel deployed to the township to protect lives and property.”

    “While we remain loyal and committed to the orders of our overlord, we wish to point out that there is a limit to what the patience and the peace commitment of our overlord can do to restore peace in Bawku. This is why we are calling for urgent steps to be taken to bring an end to the criminal acts of violence in our traditional capital,” Mr. Adakurugu.

  • Terrorists can radicalise Bawku youth, plunge sub-region into turmoil – Toobu

    Terrorists can radicalise Bawku youth, plunge sub-region into turmoil – Toobu

    Wa West MP Peter Lanchene Toobu has voiced concerns that the ongoing chieftaincy crisis in Bawku, Upper East Region, could serve as a breeding ground for terrorists to enter the sub-region and radicalize Ghanaian youth in the north.

    The retired police officer’s concerns come after the recent killings of some civilians in the conflict-riddled area by the military.

    The army, however, says it merely “neutralised” the civilians, who he described as criminal suspects.

    Speaking to Nasaria Abdul Rahman on Class 91.3FM’s mid-day news 12Live on Friday, 3 February 2023, Mr Toobu said: “That issue in Bawku has the potential to engulf the whole region of West Africa,” warning: “Let’s rise up to it and say, ‘This is wrong, let’s stop it’ because it started in Mali and dropped down to Burkina Faso and it’s knocking on our door and we shouldn’t create that enabling environment to radicalise the youth and get them ready to join any group that can cause mayhem.”

    He said: “Apart from the deaths, it is disgraceful. What is it that we can’t solve? Somebody must be a chief and because of that somebody should die? This is unacceptable.”

    Meanwhile, the Upper East Regional Security Council has appealed to the ethnic factions in the Bawku conflict, “to desist from any attempt to engage the military in combat, since that will be catastrophic on the part of the civilians.”

    “We should, therefore, be charting a peaceful map for Bawku,” a statement signed by Alhaji Abubakari Inusah, Chief Director, on behalf of the Regional Minister, said.

    The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) refuted allegations by some individuals in Bawku that soldiers deployed on Operation Gongong to restore calm in the area were killing innocent Kusasi youth and women in their homes and communities.

    The army also said allegations that military personnel have seized Zoogin, a Kusasi community, is false and unfounded.

    GAF, in a statement, explained that information received from the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) by its Operation Gongong Team early this week indicated that passengers on board a yellow KIA Grand Bird Bus with registration number AS 3672-21 travelling from Accra to Missiga were attacked by unknown gunmen around Kpawelga on the Bawku Highways.

    The gunmen fired through the tyre and engine compartment of the vehicle.

    The bus is currently parked at Asylum Down, Bawku Divisional Police Station, for an investigation to be conducted.

    Also, one KIA Rhino truck with registration number AS 7093-17 was hit and the driver of the truck, Alhassan Abdella, aged 40, from the Gonja ethnic group, sustained gunshot wounds on the left foot.

    He is currently receiving treatment at the Bawku Presbyterian Hospital.

    Again, GAF noted that on Wednesday, 1 February 2023, gunshots were heard around South Natinga in Bawku.

    A patrol team rushed to the general area of the shooting where a suspect, Abdul Malik Haruna, aged 35, from the Mamprusi ethnic group, was arrested.

    He has since been handed over to the Bawku Police for further investigation.

    GAF, in the statement, said it must be placed on record that based on a tip-off by the Bawku Police on the hideout of the suspects alleged to be involved in the firing incident at Bawku, troops conducted cordon and search operations together with the Bawku police at Pateleme General Area.

    Three suspects, Fatau Alhassan Binda, 42; Abubakar Iddrisu, 44; and Alhassan Mustapha Binda, 33; all from the Dagomba ethnic group, were arrested in a house at Pateleme.

    They were handed over to the Bawku Police for further investigations.

    In a separate incident, GAF further disclosed that sporadic firing was heard around the Sabongari General Area.

    A patrol team dispatched to assess the situation spotted unknown armed men at the Gozesi-Valley side in Sabongari wearing black t-shirts with black hoodies.

    Troops engaged them and neutralised six armed men.

    GAF said during the engagement, some armed men took cover in a mud house within the immediate vicinity to engage the team.

    One of the armed men attempted to attack troops with a cutlass but was disarmed in the process.

    During the operation, a local woman found with a gunshot injury on the left hand was sent to Bawku Presbyterian Hospital by troops for treatment.

    GAF said it is forced to disclose these outcomes in order to dispel false information and the wrong notion that a particular group is being targeted by troops in Bawku.

    GAF has assured the general public of its commitment to protecting the citizenry at all times.

    It is, therefore, soliciting the support of all peace-loving Ghanaians, especially indigenes of Bawku, to facilitate the process of bringing normalcy to the area and also to aid GAF in de-escalating tension in the interest of the needed peace and security for the socio-economic development of Bawku and the nation as a whole.

  • List: 10 victims of Bawku violence, Ayariga reveals

    List: 10 victims of Bawku violence, Ayariga reveals

    Member of Parliament for Bawku Central Constituency, Mahama Ayariga, has provided details of victims of the alleged military killings and brutalities that ensued in Bawku on Tuesday 31st January and Wednesday 1st February 2023.

    His claims are yet to be verified, however, these are the individuals who are said to have sustained casualties as a result of the violence.

    The Ghana Armed Forces, on the other hand, has refuted allegations that soldiers deployed to Bawku to restore calm and maintain order had killed some residents.

    Imoro Salifu

    Age: 59 years, House No: J25, Patelmi, Bawku

    He is survived by 2 wives and 6 children. The unfortunate incident occurred in Patelmi. Deceased was reportedly shot by the military in front of his house at about 8pm on 26th January 2023.

    Dauda Salifu

    Age: 60 years, House No: J24 Patelmi, Bawku.

    He is survived by a wife and 5 children.

    The unfortunate incident occurred in Patelmi. The deceased was shot and killed by men in military uniform in front of his house at about 8pm on 26th of January 2023.

    http://backend.theindependentghana.com/mahama-ayariga-takes-gaf-to-chraj-over-killings-and-brutalities-at-bawku/

    Akudugu Bugnaba Karim

    A 31-year-old nurse. Address:MC 146 songuri- missiga, Bawku

    Married and survived by 3 children; Mother: Issifu Ayishetu (alive) and Father: Akudugu Issifu (alive)

    He died of gun shot wounds. He was seen being chased by men wearing military uniforms by foot while others were in the armor vehicle equally chasing him too. Location of incident was in a valley near Sunguri primary school.

    Abunbiana Madi

    Age: 33, Address: Songuri missiga, hse no Mc147
    Wives: 3; Children:6; Father: Mamudu Abunbiana (alive) and Mother: Mamudu Salamatu (alive)

    The motorcycle mechanic is said to have died of gunshot wounds by the military. Men wearing military uniforms were seen chasing him on foot while some were in the armor vehicle chasing and shooting. This happened at a valley near Sunguri primary school.

    Kassim Issah

    Age:33, Address: House No. ME43, Zoogin Missiga
    Married with one child; Father: (deceased) and Mother Kassim Habiba (alive)

    He reportedly died of military gunshots wounds on his head. Location of incident was the valley near Songuri primary school. He was on top of a mongo tree when he was shot. They wore military uniforms with three armor vehicles and surrounded the valley full of mongo trees.

    Adamu Sumaila

    Age: 32, Address: House No. ME43 Baratinga, Missiga.
    Married with 2 wives; Children:7; Mother: (deceased) and Father: (deceased)

    He is said to have died of gunshots by the members of the military. Location of the incident was the valley near Songuri primary school. He was fetching water with a donkey cat to build when the military allegedly shot him.

    Sumaila Jafaru

    Age: 12, Address: ME 32, Baratinga, Missiga.

    His mother was also sustained wounds in her left hand from the gun shots of the military and is receiving medical treatment. According to reports, his father had also been killed by the military.

    The military is reported to have burned Sumaila Jafaru in a room full of hay where he had taken refuge. The incident occurred in their house. The deceased mother resisted and that is how they shot her in the hand.

    Ndeego Mumuni

    Age: 39, Address: ME23, Baratinga, Missiga.
    Married with one wife; Children: 5; Father: (deceased); Mother:(deceased)

    Died of gunshot wounds allegedly inflicted by the military. He was in his garden watering his garden plants. Location of incident was his garden in the valley near Sunguri primary school

    Haruna kudus

    Age: 17; Address: House No. ME36 Zoogin, Missiga

    He allegedly died of gunshots by the military at the valley near Songuri primary school.

    Ayuma Eliasu

    Age: 37, Address: Sarabogo, Pusiga

    Married with 2 wives; Children:7

    He reportedly died of gunshot wounds inflicted by the military. Incident occurred at the valley near Songuri primary school.

    Meanwhile, Mr Mahama Ayariga, has petitioned the Commission On Human Rights And Administration Justice (CHRAJ) to look into the reported killings and brutalities of his constituents by officers of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).

  • Mahama Ayariga takes GAF to CHRAJ over killings and brutalities at Bawku

    Mahama Ayariga takes GAF to CHRAJ over killings and brutalities at Bawku

    Member of Parliament for Bawku Central Constituency, Mahama Ayariga, has petitioned the Commission On Human Rights And Administration Justice (CHRAJ) to look into the reported killings and brutalities of his constituents by officers of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).

    Per reports, about 10 people were shot dead by members of the armed forces Operation Gongong in Bawku on Tuesday 31st January and Wednesday 1st February 2023.

    According to Mr Ayariga, several human rights such as children’s rights, women’s rights and property rights have been violated by the military.

    In his complaint, the legislator stated that “the military do not deny shooting and killing these residents of Bawku”.

    In a statement issued on 2nd February 2023, the Ghana Armed Forces refuted allegations that soldiers deployed to Bawku to restore calm and maintain order had killed some residents.

    The military explained that passengers on board a yellow KIA Grand Bird Bus with Registration Number AS 3672-21 travelling from Accra to Missiga were attacked by unknown gunmen around Kpawelga on the Bawku Highways. The gunmen fired through the tyre and engine compartment of the vehicle.

    “Also, one KIA Rhino truck with registration number AS 7093-17 was hit and the driver of the truck, Alhassan Abdella aged 40, from the Gonja tribe sustained a gunshot wound on the left foot.

    “Again, on Wednesday 1 February 2023, gunshots were heard around South Natinga in Bawku. A Patrol Team rushed to the general area of the shooting where a suspect, Abdul Malik Haruna, aged 35 from the Mamprusi tribe was arrested.

    “Three suspects, Fatau Alhassan Binda, aged 42, Abubakar Iddrisu, aged 44 and Alhassan Mustapha Binda, aged 33, all from the Dagomba tribe were arrested in a house at Pateleme. They were handed over to the Bawku Police for further investigations.

    “In a separate incident, sporadic firing was heard around Sabongari General Area. A Patrol Team dispatched to assess the situation spotted unknown armed men at Gozesi-Valley side in Sabongari wearing black T-shirts with Black Hoodies. Troops engaged them and neutralized six (6) armed men. During the engagement, some armed men took cover in a mud house within the immediate vicinity to engage the Team.

    “One of the armed men attempted to attack troops with a cutlass but was disarmed in the process. During the operation. a local woman found with a gunshot injury on her left hand was sent to Bawku Presbyterian Hospital by troops for treatment,” GAF’s statement recounted.

    http://backend.theindependentghana.com/jihadists-may-have-infiltrated-bawku-upper-east-regional-minister/

    In response, Mr Ayariga has rejected what he describes as “the self serving coverup account of the circumstances surrounding the brutal killings contained in the statement of the Ghana Armed Forces engaged in Operation Gongong” and has therefore called for an investigation by the CHRAJ so that eyewitnesses can give an accurate account of the brutality with which the military executed the killings.

    “The incidents occurred on the 1st of February 2023. An earlier killing of 2 persons in Patelmi in Bawku by members of the Ghana Armed Forces occurred on 26th of January 2023,” he revealed.

    http://backend.theindependentghana.com/security-analyst-describes-bawku-as-complete-war-zone/

    Meanwhile, Mr Ayariga has among other things demanded a compensation of Five Hundred Thousand Ghana Cedis (Ghc 500,000.00) for each and every one of those whose lives were taken to be paid to their immediate families as punitive damage.

    He also wants members of the Ghana Armed Forces to be restrained from further acts of brutalities in Bawku in the exercise of their responsibilities to maintain peace in Bawku.

    Again, the Bawku Central MP wants adequate compensation to those who have suffered physical harm.

    Chraj-1 by The Independent Ghana on Scribd

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • Jihadists may have infiltrated Bawku – Upper East Regional Minister

    Jihadists may have infiltrated Bawku – Upper East Regional Minister

    The Upper East Regional Security Council has raised concerns that jihadists may have infiltrated the town of Bawku leading to an escalation of the conflict there.

    At least six people have been killed in recent days following a military operation in the area.

    The Regional Minister and Chairman of the Security Council, Stephen Yakubu says jihadists operating across the border next to Bawku are a major concern.

    “It is very sad that people have lost their lives, it is something that the Council wants to know what happened. But I also want to say that these troubles in Bawku are taking too long,” he said.

    Security analyst and Chief Executive of the Security Warehouse Limited, Adam Bonaa, says the government must thoroughly probe the jihadist threat in Bawku.

    “We’ve had some suspected jihadists who attempted something in the country even though this was not something that was announced.

    “So it is important to have a thorough investigation conducted to know if we have some terrorists who have infiltrated Bawku to aid their friends and families among others,” Mr Bonaa explained in an interview with JoyNews.

  • Security analyst describes Bawku as complete war zone

    Security analyst describes Bawku as complete war zone

    A security analyst, Dr Adam Bonaa has described the capital town of the Upper East Region, Bawku as a complete war zone.

    He said people who have visited Bawku in the last year will attest to the fact.

    Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Top Story on Thursday, he said, “.. Bawku is a war zone, it doesn’t look like the way we are describing it. It is a complete war zone,” he emphasised.

    According to him, the 11th mechanised military unit based in Bawku can also confirm his comment, adding that “even they themselves become overwhelmed.”

    “In recent days, I have intercepted some audios from young people in Bawku threatening that they have what it takes to flush out the military, you must be prepared to actually make such a statement and come out with such a statement,” he added.

    This comment is against the backdrop of the military in Bawku being accused of killing some residents.

    Meanwhile, the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has rejected claims that its personnel deployed to Bawku to restore calm and maintain order have killed seven locals.

    According to GAF, the reportage is untrue and should be ignored.

     

    GAF in a press release issued on Thursday, February 2, and signed by its Director of Public Relations, chronicled several incidents of violent attacks in the area. 

    However, the release stated that the soldiers engaged a group of armed men and neutralised six of them.

    Reacting to this development, he asserted that the trend happening in Bawku is worrying.

    According to him, “the sporadic fighting with the military did not start today.”

    Dr Adam Bonaa added that the current escalation could probably stem from the presence of jihadists at the border.

    He, therefore, called for a thorough investigation as there are rumours of suspected jihadist presence.

    The security analyst further called on the state to pay more attention to the conflict in the area.

  • Mahama Ayariga condemns military killings in Bawku, calls for calm

    Mahama Ayariga condemns military killings in Bawku, calls for calm

    The Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, has condemned the Ghana Armed Forces over the killing and abuse of some of its members on some of his constituents, stating that he will go all out to ensure he gets redress.

    According to a statement issued under the name of the MP, on the night of Tuesday, January 31, 2023, there were reported gunshots heard in the Bawku township.

    This, he added, was part of efforts by the military to ensure that it brought the situation under control, but things spiralled and, in the end, some six civilians are said to have been killed at the hands of the soldiers.

    He said that the people who were killed were first chased and then shot, per the information available to him.

    “Let me condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the infliction of mortal casualties on innocent civilians by members of the Ghana Armed Forces in Bawku today. This is totally unacceptable and I will leave no stone unturned in my fight for redress for these victims.

    “Report reaching me is to the effect that there were gun fires last night across the Bawku town. The military, as part of their efforts to curtail the situation, chased anyone they saw, Information reaching is to the effect that they were chasing some people and other people saw those being chased running and also took to their heels. The military shot at them and in the process killed six civilians,” he stated.

    Mahama Ayariga further explained that one of the people who were killed was a little boy who had also gone into hiding, bringing the number of reported deceased to 7.

    He added that some other persons were physically abused, including an assemblyman.

    “A little boy who also run to hide behind some grasses was also shot. The grass caught fire and burnt him to death, making the number 7. In addition, the Assemblyman for Missiga Electoral Area was physically assaulted by military personnel and sustained serious injuries.

    “Several unspeakable brutalities have been reported,” he added.

    Vehemently condemning what transpired in his constituency, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP called out the continuous attacks of the military on his citizens.

    He has therefore called on the government to immediately investigate the matter, while calling for calm among the people of the Bawku township.

    “This is totally unacceptable and I condemn the military in very strong terms. There was similar killing of two men at patelmi because they allegedly broke curfew laws. This is preposterous. The Government must immediately investigate this report and bring to book the perpetrators of this dastardly act.

    “I urge everyone to lay down their weapons and let’s work towards peace and not give opportunities to others to inflict such inhuman treatment on us,” he added.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • We can’t allow criminals to destablise peace in Bawku – Minister

    We can’t allow criminals to destablise peace in Bawku – Minister

    Residents of Bawku in the Upper East Region have been urged by the minister of local government, decentralization, and rural development not to let conflict control the quality of life in the area.

    The long-running chieftaincy issue, according to Mr. Dan Botwe, has caused loss of lives, property, and forced many people to abandon Bawku’s low socioeconomic standards in the areas of healthcare, education, agriculture, and socioeconomic activities.

    “The guns must be silenced, and cool heads must prevail for the restoration of normal social life and peaceful coexistence. 

    “We cannot allow criminals and conflict profiteers among our ranks to destabilise the peace of the area and dictate the pace of life of the vulnerable. Criminals should be viewed and treated as such from both sides,” he said.   

    Speaking during the 35th annual Samanpiid celebration of the chiefs and citizens of the Kusaug Traditional Area, Mr. Botwe said that in order to accomplish the necessary development, it was the common obligation of all stakeholders to restore peace in Bawku.

    Given the resurgence of the conflict, he said the topic for this year’s festival, “Building Peace: The Role of all Stakeholders,” was appropriate. He said that all residents and stakeholders had roles to play both individually and collectively in order to achieve sustainable peace in Bawku.

    In order to promote respect for human rights and dignity, social fairness, and the rule of law, the minister emphasized the urgent necessity for stakeholders, particularly factions in the conflict, to use social interaction to support each other’s efforts to prevent and condemn disputes at all levels.

    “I wish to passionately appeal through our revered king (Bawku Naba) to urge our brothers, Kusaasis, to return to the Bawku Interethnic Peace Committee to facilitate dialogue among you and our brothers on the other side on the way out of this crisis,” he added. 

    He reiterated the resolve of government to continue to engage all relevant stakeholders to achieve lasting peace and restore the lost glory of Bawku of economic prosperity. 

    Speaking on behalf of all six Kusaug Traditional Area MPs—Bawku, Zebilla, Tempane, Garu, Pusiga, and Binduri—Mr. Cletus Avoka, Member of Parliament for the Zebilla Constituency, claimed that the conflict had destroyed Bawku’s former reputation as the commercial and cultural hub of the Upper East Region and of Ghana.

    Mr. Avoka remarked that despite efforts by the government and other parties involved to maintain peace in Bawku, the situation persisted and grew worse by the hour. He also said that the conflict’s many sides’ rigid positions did not contribute to finding a solution.

    He said the conflict was retarding development of the area as projects implementation in the area had been stalled including those working on the main Bolgatanga-Bawku-Pulmakom road as contractors were afraid to work there. 

    “Many of the homes are empty, young men and women and business people are all vacating Bawku and that is a sorry sight. Education, business, and healthcare are declining, if not at a standstill and so we have the collective responsibility to make sure we have peace in Bawku,” he said. 

    Zugraan Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, Paramount Chief of Kusaug Traditional Area, through a speech read on his behalf, commended government for the efforts made so far to restore peace and underscored the need to expedite actions to achieve lasting peace for sustained development. 

  • Bawku tensions: NEDCo cuts power supply after damaged conductor

    The Bawku township and its neighbouring communities have been plunged into darkness in the last 24 hours after gunmen destroyed a power utility infrastructure in the town.

    According to NEDCO, the gunmen fired at one of the towers in the town leading to a conductor damage.

    NEDCO said it cannot tell for the moment when the problem will be rectified and power restored, however, it assured residents of the affected areas that its technicians were working around the clock to fix the damage.

    An unconfirmed number of people were reported killed on Sunday while others sustained various degrees of injuries in a renewed chieftaincy clash at Bawku.

    The Ghana News Agency reports that the violence erupted after the alleged killing of an old man and his son at Natinga on Saturday.

    The old man was shot dead at his home while his son died later on Sunday. This led to sporadic shooting within the Bawku township leading to casualties.

    Some houses were also burnt.

    JoyNews understands that there is currently an ongoing meeting at the regional and municipal levels over the matter.

    Security and defence forces have restored calm and currently patrolling the area to ensure peace.

    Bawku township for months now has experienced renewed curfews by the Ministry of Interior and Defence due to the restart of the conflict in November 2021.

    The Upper East Regional Security Council further placed a ban on the wearing of smocks, riding of motorbikes and operation of tricycles in the community.

    In October 2022, the REGSEC temporarily lifted the ban on the operations of tricycles after residents continuously lamented the lack of transportation to workplaces.

    Source: myjoyonline

  • Bawku Renewed ethnic clashes : Seven dead, one injured

    Residents living in the environs of Kusasi and Mamprusi in Bawku in the Upper East Region have been thrown into a state of shock following a resurgence of ethnic unrest between these two towns.

    A shootout between members of these towns on Sunday, December 18, has led to the death of two more individuals.

    Giving a breakdown, the public relations officer for the Upper East Regional Police,ASP David Fianko-Okyere, stated that five people were killed in the intermittent gunfire that followed the reported murder of an elderly man at Sing-Naatin on Saturday, December 17, 2022.

    On Sunday, December 18, 2022, two more people died as a consequence of gunfire, bringing the total death toll to seven.

    The Quality medical centre in Garu is now providing care for a young guy in his 20s who sustained an injury during the clash.

    The cause of last night’s disturbances is currently unknown.

    According to Mr. Fianko, his organization was unable to disclose specifics on last night’s event because it lacked sufficient information.

    However, the police have begun an investigation into the unfortunate incident to ascertain the cause of the clash and bring the orchestrators of the violence to book

    Meanwhile, the Police Service has advised residents to stay indoors.

    Source: The Independent Ghana

     

  • PCG inaugurates psychiatric hospital in Bolga

    The Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG), has inaugurated a 43,000 euros psychiatric hospital in Bolgatanga, capital of the Upper East Region to provide mental health care for patients in the 15 municipalities and districts.

    It is the first of its kind in the region.

    The facility which has come as a saviour to the region would help curtail the inconvenience and financial burden families of mental health patients bore in transporting patients to the southern parts of the country to seek treatment.

    Speaking at the inaugural ceremony in Bolgatanga on Monday, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the PCG, Rt Rev. Prof. Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mante, explained that the facility was in response to government’s call to complement its effort in expanding health delivery services in the country.

    He stated that the PCG has been the third major contributor to the development in health delivery, aside government and the Catholic Church.

    “The dedication of this mental health facility is in line with the church’s readiness to support government expand and improve service deliveries in all parts of the country and this time mental health services,” the moderator stressed.

    Rt Rev. Prof. Mante indicated that the county’s mental health policy made it clear that good mental health contributes positively to physical health, family life, education, social participation and economic development.

    The moderator said the church had built over 59 health services registered under the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) in the 16 regions of the country.

    He indicated that the PCG established the first mission healthcentre in the then Gold Coast, in 1885 at Aburi in the Eastern Region, stressing that, “since then the church has expanded to other countries including Cote d’Ivoire, Togo, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Nigeria”

    “While establishing hospitals, the church saw the need to also deliver Primary Healthcare Services (PHC) in rural areas. In collaboration with government, the first PHC programme was started at Asante Akyem and later on extended to Dormaa, Bolgatanga, Bawku, Salaga, Afram Plains, Sandema, Tamale and Enchi,” he stressed.

    The Moderator noted that the PCG has also contributed to education by providing over 2,500 basic schools, 34 senior high schools, five colleges of education, two private chartered universities.

    It also includes several community based rehabilitation centres, seven  agricultural stations, relief services, four vocational schools, five lay training centres and water projects.

    He stated that the Upper East, North East and Upper West regions are hosts to the largest number of these social intervention programmes.

    He added that the church would monitor the growth of the mental health facility in region.

    The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Bolgatanga, Mr Rex Asanga, who represented the Regional Minister, Stephen Yakubu lauded the efforts of the PCG for initiating considerable number of social intervention programmes and projects in the region which, he noted, had contributed significantly to improving the lives of the people in the area.

    Source:ghanaiantimes.com

  • FOSDA commends Otumfuo’s move to resolve Bawku conflict

    The Foundation for Security Development in Africa (FOSDA) has commended the move by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to help resolve the protracted Bawku conflict between the Mamprusis and the Kusasis in the Upper East region.

    According to FOSDA, the move by the Asantehene is refreshing and laudable, especially considering the current wave of violence across the West African Sub-region.

    “FOSDA has been advocating the establishment of a committee of Eminent Chiefs to mediate the protracted Bawku conflict, learning from the success of the Dagbon case which was led by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. We believe that such a move is very likely to bring the much-needed peace to the people of Bawku given the failure of the judicial system to settle the issues.

    “The Bawku conflict has pre-dated Ghana’s struggle for independence and has been intertwined with issues of politics, ethnicity, land and chieftaincy for more than 65 years. In 2021, there was a renewed clash among the parties in an attempt by the Mamprusis to observe the final funeral rite of the late Tampuri Alhaji Adams Zangbeogo which led to loss of innocent lives and property,” the Executive Director for FOSDA, Theodora W. Anit explained in a statement.

    She continued: “Besides, it is significant to note that several bodies have attempted to resolve the matter including government commissions, Traditional Authorities, Civil Society Organization (CSOs) and the Supreme Court Ruling of April 2003 still remains the most remarkable attempt to bring finality to the conflict.”

    Mrs. Anti further said various researches have proven that conflict prone areas are fertile grounds for violent extremist and terrorist attack.

    “The geographical location of Bawku as a border town to Burkina Faso in the North of Ghana makes the current situation in Bawku very worrying and risky for the whole country.

    “FOSDA commends Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for taking up this herculean task to find lasting peace for the people of Bawku, to save lives and bring about sustainable development.

    “FOSDA calls for the support of the Government and citizens to support this initiative and urges all interested parties to approach the mediation process in utmost good faith with the hope of coming out with an amicable resolution.”

  • Bawku Conflict: National Media Commission cautions against “weaponisation” of the media

    The National Media Commission (NMC) has expressed concerns over the “increasing weaponization of the media in the Bawku conflict. “

    It noted an escalation in incidences of hate speech, disinformation and incitement on radio of “a scale and scope”that posed “a clear and present danger to the Bawku community” and cautioned radio stations in the enclave to be circumspect.

    A press release issued by Mr George Sarpong, Executive Secretary, NMC, said some of the cases were “closely reminiscent of the egregious misbehavior of Radio Television Libre des Mille Collines (RTLM) in the Rwandan genocide.”

    It said the collective search for peace must be anchored on a proper balance between the right of radio stations to broadcast and the legitimate need of society to protect public order as envisaged under articles 162,163 and 164 of the Constitution (1992).

    The Commission said, “drastic consequences attend on culpability,” and called on owners of radio stations in Bawku to adopt stronger gatekeeping measures to ensure that persons with interests in the conflict did not hijack radio stations to foment trouble.

    “ Owners must be careful who they recruit as programme hosts and, which persons are invited as guests on discussion programmes. Owners must remember that they bear ultimate responsibility for whatever happens on their networks.”

    It gave all owners of radio stations in the Bawku area two weeks to submit to the Commission clear measures they had put in place to ensure professionalism.

    The Commission also advised media houses outside Bawku to be very circumspect in their coverage of the conflict and reminded media practitioners about the prosecution of journalists at the International Criminal Court and asked them to be guided by that.

    “Ultimately, it is important for stakeholders to understand that at the core of the tension between free expression and public safety is the need to seek the public good,” the Commission said.

    It said the Media Foundation for West Africa and the Ghana Independent Broadcasters’ Association had offered to assist any broadcaster in Bawku who may require assistance to review gatekeeping and professional systems and asked radio stations there to take advantage of the offer.

    Source: GNA

  • Bawku is a war zone – Dr. Adam Bonaa

    Security Analyst, Dr. Adam Bonaa, has said that the situation in the Upper West Regional capital, Bawku has become more precarious and is similar to conditions in war-torn countries.

    According to Dr. Bonaa, the situation has become so tensed that an innocent person who mistakenly crosses to the territory of a different faction is immediately killed.

    In a post shared on Facebook on Monday, September 27, the security analyst added that the once vibrant region has virtually become a ghost town.

    “It’s a needless conflict, the killing of innocent people in Bawku must stop. Mamprusis and Kuasis can’t go into each other’s community/territory, if you cross mistakenly, you will be killed for sure, it’s completely needless and barbaric.

    “The people of Bawku feel very neglected. Bawku remains and will also remain an important part of this country. Once a vibrant thriving commercial hub of this country has now become a WAR ZONE where guns and conflict dominate,” parts of the post read.

    Dr. Bonaa, who made these remarks after attending a peace dialogue to help resolve the impasse, commended the Inspect General of the Ghana Police Service (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, the Minister for Defense, Dominic Nitiwul and the Interior Minister Ambrose Dery for the initiative.

    “I must congratulate the ministers of interior, defense, IGP, CDS, UE regional minister, the MCE of Bawku and all the others for the various parts they all played in this peace dialogue initiative, the first of its kind for decades. Hopefully, in October 2022 the second peace dialogue would take place. The guns must be put down,” he noted.

  • Stop violence in Bawku – Defence Minister appeals to residents

    The Minister of Defence, Dominic Nitiwul, has called for the youth of Bawku in the Upper East Region to smoke the peace pipe and stop the killing and destruction of properties.

    This follows an imposed curfew in Bawku in August 2022, after a series of clashes that led to the loss of human lives and the destruction of properties.

    Security measures to deal with the situation have been extended to neighbouring communities with an outright ban on the use of tricycles in Bawku and its environs.

    Heads of Basic schools in the area have therefore requested the Ghana Education Service to shut down schools for fear of their lives.

    The Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul, speaking at a gathering at Bawku, which was attended by the Interior Minister, IGP, Chief of Defence Staff, the General Officer Commander, Northern Command of the Ghana Armed Forces, said the youth should calm down for peace to prevail.

    “…The fighting in Bawku must stop from today…I come and plead with you that we are citizens, the firepower of Ghana, all the big guns, it is the security agencies that have it, and you can’t fight the security agencies. But we will not use the guns on you; we want to come and talk to you and appeal to you that put down whatever guns you have. So that if anybody has a case, I feel I’ve been wronged, I will go to court and make my case heard so that we don’t kill each other.”

     

  • Bawku Update: IGP, Interior Minister, Chief of Defense Staff visit Bawku to meet with factions

    A high profile delegation on Sunday, September 25, 2022, visited Bawku in the Upper East Region to meet factions involved in the Bawku conflict in a bid to bring sanity to the area.

    The Inspector General of Police, the Interior Minister, and Chief of Defense Staff called on the youth of both factions to dialogue for peace to prevail in Bawku.

    Correspondent Peter Agengre reports that the delegation led by Interior Minister, Dominic Nitiwul, met with the Zugrana Bawku Naba and his elders to inform them of the need to allow peace to prevail in Bawku. He entreated the elders to be part of the peace making process by stopping the killings.

    “Shooting and killing people will not bring a finality to the chieftaincy issue. What we want you to do is to cease the shooting and let’s use the appropriate channel to resolve the issue.”

    The youth of Bawku made up of both factions at separate meetings expressed sad sentiments that the conflict in Bawku has made them jobless and made their families lose their bread winners. They however pledged peace.

    “We appreciate the government’s effort to bring a finality to this issue. We are ready to stop fighting, but we entreat you also to use your powers to end the conflict.”

    They also called on the delegation to “lift the ban on the use of Mahama Candoo in Bawku township”.

    The delegation was made up of the Minister of Defense Dominic Nitiwul, the Minister for the Interior Ambrose Derry, the Chief of Defense Staff, Vice Admiral Seth Amoama among other dignitaries.

    Source: GBC

  • Close down schools in Bawku over insecurity – Heads of basic schools urge GES

    The Conference of Heads of Basic Schools (COHBS) in the Upper East Region’s Bawku Municipality has called for the immediate closure of basic schools in the area.

    This comes in the wake of recent sporadic shootings and killings of unarmed citizens in the municipality.

    Authorities issued a ban on riding tricycles, popularly known as “yellow yellow,” in an attempt to address the region’s surge in violent crimes.

    This was due to tricycles being one of the most commonly used modes of transportation during crimes in the area. Regardless, the killings continue.

    The COHBS argued in a letter to the Municipal Director of Education on September 22, 2022, signed by the Municipal Chairman, Abugri Busia, that students’ safety cannot be guaranteed in such times, necessitating the need to close schools in the interim.

    “Following the insecurity and the subsequent ban on tricycles, we wish to appeal to you to close down basic schools in the municipality, pending improvement in the security situation,” the letter read.

    Also, COHBS has entreated the parties involved in the mayhem “to put their guns down for peace to prevail for the sake of school pupils and their future.”

    The letter was addressed to the municipal secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the zonal chairman of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), the municipal chief executive, and the secretary of the Coalition of Concerned Teachers (CCT).

    Bawku Municipal Director of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Azeriya Ayeriga, who received the letter, said he does “not have the power to close down public basic schools in Bawku due to insecurity; it is only the Municipal Security Committee (MUSEC) that has the power to do so.”

    Background

    In January this year, the  REGSEC placed a ban on the use of motorbikes in the Bawku municipality and its environs, describing security in the area as volatile.

    This was put in place after two people were found dead, and eight others wounded, after a gun attack in Daduri, a suburb of Bawku.

    Recent tensions can be traced back to December 27, 2021, when gunfire erupted in parts of town following attempts to perform the final funeral rites of a chief who died 41 years ago.

    Following the violence, the entire township was placed under curfew, and smocks were prohibited.

    Male pillion riders were also barred. After the violence, thirteen individuals were detained and flown to Accra.

    The Ministry of the Interior, on September 5, 2022, reviewed the curfew due to increased insecurity.

    The government further announced a total ban on the carrying of arms, ammunition, or any offensive weapon within the area.

    On Monday, September 19, 2022, the Upper East Regional Security Council (REGSEC) at its emergency meeting reviewed the security situation in the Bawku municipality and have introduced additional measures.

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • The Bawku conflict is unfortunate – Peace Council

    Chairman of the Upper East Regional Peace Council, Alhaji Sumaila Issaka, has condemned the recurrent conflicts in Bawku, describing them as unfortunate.

    He said the sporadic shooting and killing of innocent people were unnecessary and criminal.

    “We don’t know who is fighting who, is it Mamprusis fighting Kussasis or Kussasis fighting Moshies, or vice versa or is it an ‘all for all war’ or people want to sell their arms, because those dying belong to all the tribes”, Mr Issaka said.

    He said the Bawku area was cosmopolitan with different tribes living together.

    The Regional Peace Council Chairman, who shared his experience with the Ghana News Agency after a recent working visit to the Bawku Municipality and its environs, said he had to take a long detour from Binduri district to Garu to Pusiga District before arriving at Misiga, just to avoid volatile areas.

    He said businesses at the shops, markets, vehicular and human movement within Bawku had virtually slowed to a halt except the Highways area towards the middle of the Township, where commercial vehicles load passengers and goods.

    Meanwhile, the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council in collaboration with the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) at its emergency meeting on Monday, September 19, reviewed the security situation in the area, as part of efforts to enforce additional measures, following recent shootings and fighting in Bawku.

    In a letter signed by the Chief Director, Regional Coordinating Council, Mr Inusah Abubakari Alhaji, on behalf of the Regional Minister and copied to the Bawku Municipal Security Council, REGSEC directed that, “only the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service and the Military are allowed to use official motor bikes between 6 am to 6 pm.”

    Other measures include a temporary ban on Tricycle, commonly called ‘Yellow Yellow’ operations until further notice and extension of curfew to cover Nayoko, Kpalgu and Manga communities.

    Source: GNA

  • Peace Council appeals to chiefs, people of Bawku to cease fire

    The Ghana National Peace Council has appealed to the chiefs and people of the Bawku traditional area to cease fire over protracted conflicts in the area.

    Reverend Dr Ernest Adu-Gyamfi, Chairman, National Peace Council (NPC), in his appeal, he admonished them to desist from the act, stating that “nobody gains from protracted conflicts. I am not sure any body involved in the conflict is happy that children are not in school, the sick cannot access health service, movement of goods and people have been restricted and freedoms curtailed,” Rev Dr Adu-Gyamfi stated in his address at the 2022 International Peace Day press conference in Accra.

    “Let us confront the realities of the times and move on for the sake of our children and the future of Ghana,” he said.

    “It must be said that building sustainable peace is a process which requires the efforts of both state and non-state actors and a daily renewal of the commitment to peace and love for our common humanity.”

    He urged Ghanaians to continually commit to the process to enhance sustainable peace in Ghana.

    The event was organised by the NPC in collaboration with the United Nations (UN) in Ghana.

    The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the UN General Assembly to commemorate and strengthen the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples as a period of non-violence and cease-fire.

    The Global theme for this year’s commemoration is “End Racism. Build Peace”.

    The NPC, in seeking to harness Ghana’s existing inter-ethnic and inter-religious ties and to promote tolerance, unity and a more inclusive society, domesticated the theme to read: “Managing Ethnic Diversity in Ghana for Sustainable Peace”.

    Rev Dr Adu-Gyamfi said Ghana was a multiethnic, multi-religious, multi-lingual, and multi-cultural society; and that there were more than seventy ethnic groups in Ghana, who, regardless of their differences, had coexisted in an environment of tolerance of divergent views, and acceptance of differences.

    Article 35(5) of the 1992 constitution states that “the state shall actively promote the integration of the peoples of Ghana and prohibits discrimination and prejudice on the grounds of place of origin, circumstances of birth, ethnic origin, gender or religion, creed or other beliefs’

    He said managing ethnic diversities for sustainable peace, requires hardwork from both the government and citizens.

    He said Peace was possible, and that life was better in a peaceful world.

    “Let us, therefore, put aside our ethnic and tribal sentiments and see Ghana as the only nation we have as a people and seek to sustain Ghana as a united nation.”

    Touching on Ghana’s Ranking in the GPI 2022, Rev Dr Adu-Gyamfi said Ghana had maintained her place as the most peaceful country in West Africa and second most peaceful country in Sub-Saharan Africa only after Mauritius with a score of 1.759, a percentage increase over the score for 2021.

    He called on Ghanaians, institutions of state and civil society to join forces to remove barriers to the realization of a just, fair, open, and inclusive society for all the people.

    Mr Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, President, Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), appealed to the Peace Council, the Police Service and institutions of peace to collaborate with the GJA in building the capacity of journalists on security issues to ensure a lasting peace in our communities and country.

    He also called on the Interior Ministry to always update the media on the state of insecurity of the country to enable us the media and the citizenry to work towards creating the enabling environment for peace to reign.

    Mr Charles Abani, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Ghana, said in terms of peace, Ghana was a crown of jewel in the sub-region; adding that Ghana’s peace architecture was a model for other countries to emulate.

    Mrs Afi Azaratu Yakubu, Executive Secretary, National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons, appealed to Ghanaians to use dialogue in resolving their differences.

    The event was attended by members of the Queen Mothers Foundation Ghana and students from Labone Senior High School and Accra High School.

    Source: GNA

  • The Bawku conflict is unfortunate — Peace Council

    Alhaji Sumaila Issaka, the Chairman of the Upper East Regional Peace Council, says the recurrent conflict in Bawku is unfortunate.

    He said the sporadic shooting and killing of innocent people were unnecessary and criminal.

    “We don’t know who is fighting who, is it Mamprusis fighting Kussasis or Kussasis fighting Moshies, or vice versa or is it an ‘all for all war’ or people want to sell their arms, because those dying belong to all the tribes”, Mr Issaka said.

    He said the Bawku area was cosmopolitan with different tribes living together.

    The Regional Peace Council Chairman, who shared his experience with the Ghana News Agency after a recent working visit to the Bawku Municipality and its environs, said he had to take a long detour from Binduri district to Garu to Pusiga District before arriving at Misiga, just to avoid volatile areas.

    He said businesses at the shops, markets, vehicular and human movement within Bawku had virtually slowed to a halt except the Highways area towards the middle of the Township, where commercial vehicles load passengers and goods.

    Meanwhile, the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council in collaboration with the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) at its emergency meeting on Monday, September 19, reviewed the security situation in the area, as part of efforts to enforce additional measures, following recent shootings and fighting in Bawku.

    In a letter signed by the Chief Director, Regional Coordinating Council, Mr Inusah Abubakari Alhaji, on behalf of the Regional Minister and copied to the Bawku Municipal Security Council, REGSEC directed that, “only the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service and the Military are allowed to use official motor bikes between 0600hours to 1800hours”.

    Other measures include a temporary ban on Tricycle, commonly called ‘Yellow Yellow’ operations until further notice and extension of curfew to cover Nayoko, Kpalgu and Manga communities.

    Source: GNA

  • Calm returns to Bawku after shooting incident

    Calm has returned to parts of Bawku after three people were shot and killed on Monday.

    The incident has been attributed to a recurrent chieftaincy dispute.

    Despite the relative calm, a resident who is a business woman and mother told Citi News, they are still living in fear of being attacked hence a halt in economic and social activities.

    “Everybody is just indoors because of what happened yesterday,” she said.

    Meanwhile, the Upper East Area Manager of the Northern Electricity Distribution Company NEDCO, Eugene Odei Addo has told Citi News, power has been restored to affected areas which went off due to the shooting.

    He however indicated that his outfit will take a decision to protect its officers on the grounds should the situation worsen.

    “Our key challenge is with my people mostly dealing in that unstable zone,” he said.

    Mr. Odei, however, said his outfit will continue to operate in Bawku.

    “We think that being there is the best for now, but if the need be for us to withdraw, we will do exactly that,” he said.

    Source: Citinews

  • Renewed Chieftaincy clash in Bawku allegedly claims lives

    There has been a renewed Chieftaincy clash at Bawku in the Upper East Region, despite the imposition of curfew and other security measures.

    Although the Police and the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) are yet to come out with the number of fatalities in the clash, the Ghana News Agency (GNA) sources revealed that a few persons lost their lives, while others were injured.

    Heavy gunshots were fired within the Bawku Township, compelling the REGSEC to enforce the security situation in the area with additional security measures, including enhanced restrictions.

    A statement signed on behalf of Mr Stephen Yakubu, the Upper East Regional Minister and Chairman of the REGSEC, by Inusah Abubakari Alhaji, the Regional Chief Director and copied to GNA, noted that the measures were taken after emergency meeting held on Monday.

    “The Police, Ghana Immigration Service and the Military are allowed to use official motorbikes between 0600 hours to 1800 hours”, it stated.

    A temporal ban had also been placed on the use of tricycles (yellow yellow), until further notice and curfew hours extended to cover Nayoka, Kpalgu and Manga communities.

    Apart from the curfew imposed on the Bawku Township and its environs from 2000 hours to 0500 hours, a ban had earlier been placed on the wearing of smock and riding of motorbikes.

    The Regional Minister told GNA in an interview that the review of the security measures in the area was to strengthen surveillance and enable the security agencies to effectively deal with current trends of causing crime and igniting the conflict.

    He said the REGSEC had gathered intelligence that some people involved in the conflict used the tricycles to commit crime and urged the residents to report any suspicious characters to the security agencies for rapid action.

    “With the information that is only privy to REGSEC and based on what we have achieved and what we have not achieved, we think that what we are doing is the best option because we know what is happening in Bawku.

    “Yesterday for instance, there were heavy gunshots in Bawku and people are using the tricycles to commit these crimes,” he said.

    Mr Yakubu said although the decision taken had consequences on the movement of people and economic activities, it was necessary to restore peace in the area and called for support from the public especially residents of Bawku.

    “These are things that we do with a heavy heart, but we have really measured in whatever action that we take but what we are praying for is peace to return to Bawku.”

    The protracted conflict is partly due to a disagreement over the performance of the funeral of a Chief who died more than 42 years ago, to pave way for the enskinment of another Chief.

    Meanwhile, the government, through the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, noted that the Chieftaincy disagreement was settled by the Supreme Court in 2003 and urged all parties to respect the ruling.

    Source: GNA

  • Curfew in Bawku reviewed effective September 5

    The curfew imposed in Bawku and its surroundings to reduce insecurity in the municipality has been reviewed by the Interior Ministry, Ambrose Dery.

    In a statement, the Ministry said that based on the advice of the Upper East Regional Council, the review begins today, Monday, September 5, 2022.

    The present curfew time of 8:00pm has been changed to 6:00am, 6:00pm, and 6:00am.

    “The review of the curfew has been as a result of threat to security in the communities concerned”, the statement added.

    The administration is also urging local citizens and youth to put their energy toward constructive endeavors rather than violence, which is endangering the peace.

    The release further announced that, “there is a total ban on all persons in the aforementioned communities and its environs from carrying arms, ammunition or any offensive weapon and any person found with any arms or ammunition will be arrested and prosecuted.”

    Bawku is a hotspot for clashes between residents of various ethnic groups.

    The government has on several occasions imposed a curfew on the town to calm tensions and maintain law and order.

     

  • Help restore peace in Bawku Akufo-Addo tells Mamprugu Overlord

    The Overlord of the Mamprugu Traditional Area and President of the North East Regional House of Chiefs, Naa Bohagu Mahami Sheriga, has been charged by President Akufo-Addo to assist in restoring peace in Bawku.

    Expressing his concern over the persistent violence in the Bawku traditional area, President Akufo-Addo stated that the disturbances in the area must be brought to a halt.

    The President was speaking in Nalerigu as part of his tour of the North East Region.

    “Mahami was very instrumental among the three eminent chiefs in bringing us to have peace in Dagbon and I know he is also going to be instrumental in making sure that we get peace in Bawku”.

    Recent tensions in Bawku have led to several persons being wounded, with some losing their lives.

    The recent tensions can be traced to December 27, 2021, when there was gunfire in parts of the town after attempts to perform the final funeral rites of a Chief who died about 41 years ago.

    The violence resulted in a curfew being placed on the entire township, a ban on smock-wearing, and a ban on the use of motorbikes.

    Though calm has been restored in Bawku, various stakeholders are appealing to factions in the conflicts to resort to non-violent ways of resolving their differences.

    The government engaged the National Peace Council to find a lasting solution to the disturbances that have characterized Bawku.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has also urged the feuding factions in the Bawku chieftaincy dispute to ceasefire and dialogue.

  • BREAKING: Heavy fighting erupts in Bawku as tribes clash

    There is heavy fighting ongoing in Bawku following a clash between two tribes on Tuesday morning.

    It is unclear what triggered the chaos.

    Reports indicate that heavy weaponry is being used by the factions as military personnel stationed there are struggling to bring the situation under control.

    More soon…

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Horse rider shot dead, 18 arrested after sporadic shooting at Bawku

    One person is confirmed dead while 18 others have been arrested after sporadic shooting at Bawku in the Upper East Region, on Monday, March 14, 2022.

    The deceased, Mohammed Bole, 81, was returning from Pusiga to Bawku on his horse when he was shot and killed by an unknown assailant at Guzasi.

    According to the Bawku Municipal Police Commander, Superintendent of Police, Simon Akabati, when the police personnel arrived at the scene, the deceased had been shot multiple times, with sporadic shooting within the area.

    He said the 18 persons were in police custody in connection to the shooting and would be arraigned before court, while investigations into the cause of the killing continues.
    Security personnel were deployed to the scene to maintain law and order and calm has since been restored.

    Since November 2021, the Bawku Municipality and its environs had experienced violent chieftaincy disputes resulting in the killing and injuring of many.
    The conflict is as a result of the performance of the funeral of a chief of the traditional area, who died more than 41 years ago.

    The funeral, if performed, would pave the way for the enskinment of another chief. 
    Currently, a curfew is in place from 2000 hours to 0500 hours and a ban on motorbike riding and wearing of smock within the Bawku Township and its environs.

    Meanwhile, the Government, through the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, in an earlier statement, said the chieftaincy disagreement was settled by the Supreme Court in 2003 and urged all parties to respect the ruling.

    More than 40 people have been killed, so far, with several injured since the reoccurrence of the impasse in November.

    Source: GNA

  • 3 arrested, weapons retrieved in conflict-hit Bawku

    Three people were arrested during a special operation in the conflict-hit town of Bawku in the Upper East Region, dailymailgh.com has learned.

    The joint police and military team targeted criminal dens on Monday, January 31, to apprehend any person suspected to be involved in recent gunshots and killings in the town.

    A police incident report sighted by dailymailgh.com also confirmed that a cache of weapons was retrieved during the operation.

    “The team visited suspects Sunday and Abachie Adamu places of abode but they vacated their houses. The team proceeded to Gigande where suspect Maxwell Asana aged 42 was arrested. A search conducted in his premises revealed 2 foreign pistols, 50 rounds of AK 47 live ammunition, 17 rounds of M16 live ammunition 10 rounds of live 9mm ammunition and 3 rounds G3 live ammunition. 

    “The exhibits were hidden in a pot of water at the compound of the house. They were retrieved and retained at the station for evidential purpose. Intelligence gathered indicates that the suspect is the person who has been supplying and servicing weapons for the suspects”, the report said.

    “The team proceeded to Natinga where suspect Ibrahim Fatawu was arrested but one of the suspects absconded through the big gutter on seeing police. Suspect Ibrahim Fatawu. A search in one of the uncompleted rooms in the house that houses cattle revealed 1 AK 47 assault rifle No. 1983NI0892, 1 Arcus Pistol No. 20KR500604. 2 AK 47 magazines, 80 rounds of G3 live ammunition, 6 rounds of 9mm ammunition, and 8 rounds of AK 47 live ammunition”, the report continued.

    The team also arrested suspect Mohammed Abubakar who was alleged to be a member of a group of people who fired into an FPU vehicle on 25th December 2021 at Missiga on Pusiga Road, the police confirmed.

    All the suspects are detained and the exhibits retained for evidential purpose. Suspects will be arraigned before court in Bolgatanga soon.

    Source: dailymailgh.com

  • Enough is enough – Former MP to Bawku residents

    The former Member of Parliament for Manhyia North, Collins Owusu Amankwah has asked residents in Bawku to put a stop to the conflicts.

    The former legislator said the renewed crisis in Bawku was worrying and disgusting.

    He said the resources spent in maintaining law and order in Bawku could be used to develop the area.

    He made the call during an interview on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm.

    He added the residents must cooperate with the government to bring peace to the area.

    He believes the people must see themselves as one and stop fighting.

    He also said the resources used in ensuring peace and calm in Bawku could be used to develop the place. 

    “I am appealing to the people to unite. Enough is enough. The residents must stop fighting,” said Mr. Collins Owusu 

    “The bottom line is most of these terrorist activities depend on areas where there is instability so they can capitalize on it. That is why I am asking the residents to see themselves as Ghanaians with a common destiny,” he added.

    Recent tensions in Bawku have led to the death of several persons and others wounded.

    The tensions can be traced to December 27, 2021, when there was gunfire in parts of the town after attempts to perform the final funeral rites of a Chief who died about 41 years ago.

    There is currently a curfew placed on the township.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Use of motorbikes banned in Bawku

    The Upper East Regional Coordinating Council has banned the use of motorbikes in Bawku.

    The move is part of sweeping actions being taken by the security council to instill peace in the area following renewed clashes.

    The action affects both male and female riders. It however excludes tricycles.

    On January 10, 2021, the regional security council banned pillion from the area. Pillion is a seat for a passenger behind a motorcyclist. The ban however does not include women riders picking fellow women on their bikes.

    On Sunday evening four people were reported to have been shot dead in the renewed shootings.

    According to a source, the shooting which allegedly started on the morning of Sunday, January 23, was first heard around the central business area of the town which has been embroiled in sporadic shootings since November 2021.

    Source: starrfm.com.g

  • Bawku curfew renewed after shootings

    Government, through an Executive Instrument, has renewed the curfew at Bawku in the Upper East Region.

    In the latest directive, the curfew hours will run between 2000 hours to 0500 hours effective, Wednesday, December 29, 2021.

    This is to help restore calm in the town.

    There were gunshots in the early hours of Monday, December 27, 2021, which resulted in the loss of lives and the destruction of properties in the town.

    A statement signed by Mr Ambrose Dery, Minister for the Interior and copied to the Ghana News Agency said the Government was calling on Chiefs, Elders, Opinion Leaders, Youth and people of the area to exercise restraint in the face of the challenges confronting them as well as to use non-violent means to channel their energies into ensuring peace.

    It said meanwhile, there was a total ban on all persons in the afore-mentioned communities and their environs from carrying arms, ammunition or any offensive weapon and any persons found with any arms or ammunition would be arrested and prosecuted.

    Source: GNA

  • Minister reviews curfew hours in Bawku

    Ambrose Dery, the Minister of Interior, has reviewed curfew hours from 18:00 hours to 06:00hours in the Bawku Municipality and its environs in the Upper East Region.

    In a statement signed and copied to the media, Mr Dery said the review was based on the advice of the Upper East Regional Security Council (REGSEC) and by Executive Instrument.

    The review of the curfew hours from 1600hours to 0600hours, the Minister said was the result of improved security in communities in the Bawku Municipality and the environs concerned.

    “Government calls on the Chiefs, elders, opinion leaders, and people of the area to exercise restraint in the face of the challenges confronting them as well as to use non-violent means to channel their energies into ensuring peace,” Mr Dery said.

    The Minister emphasized the total ban on all persons in Bawku and its environs from carrying arms, ammunition, or any offensive weapon.

    Ambrose Dery, the Minister of Interior, has reviewed curfew hours from 18:00 hours to 06:00hours in the Bawku Municipality and its environs in the Upper East Region.

    In a statement signed and copied to the media, Mr Dery said the review was based on the advice of the Upper East Regional Security Council (REGSEC) and by Executive Instrument.

    The review of the curfew hours from 1600hours to 0600hours, the Minister said was the result of improved security in communities in the Bawku Municipality and the environs concerned.

    “Government calls on the Chiefs, elders, opinion leaders, and people of the area to exercise restraint in the face of the challenges confronting them as well as to use non-violent means to channel their energies into ensuring peace,” Mr Dery said.

    The Minister emphasized the total ban on all persons in Bawku and its environs from carrying arms, ammunition, or any offensive weapon.

    “Any person found with any arms or ammunition will be arrested and prosecuted,” he added.

    Source: GNA

  • 10 dead, 30 in very critical condition as Bawku bus crashes into Nasia bridge

    Reports available to MyNewsGh indicates that a Bawku bound passenger bus has crashed into the Nasia bridge near Walewale in the North East Region in the early hours of Tuesday, January 26, 2021.

    According to local media reports available to this portal, ten persons including some Senior High School (SHS) students returning to school have lost their lives as a result of the ghastly accident with over 30 individuals said to have sustained several degrees of injuries.

    The vehicle which was travelling from Kumasi to Bawku with 45 passengers aboard rammed into the metal bridge and somersaulted many times before wrecking in the middle of the road, causing a massive traffic jam on the Tamale Bolga highway.

    Eyewitnesses say the accident was as a result of brake failure while others suspect the driver may have been sleeping as a result of stress in view of the long-distance covered.

    “Very sad news. Had to drive through very harmful temperatures this dawn to the Nasia bridge where this fatal road accident occurred. Reports indicate 10 people are feared dead and nearly over 30 in critical conditions. The vehicle travelling from Kumasi to Bawku with 45 passengers aboard rammed into the bridge and somersaulted many times before wrecking in the middle of the road, causing a massive traffic jam on the Tamale Bolga highway”. A journalist based in Walewale wrote on his Facebook page.

    Source: My News GH