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

According to him, people who have visited Bawku in the last year will attest to the fact. He indicated that the 11th mechanized military unit based in Bawku can also confirm his comment, and that “even they themselves become overwhelmed”.

“Bawku is a war zone, it doesn’t look like the way we are describing it. It is a complete war zone. 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.”
Adam Bonaa

Dr Bonaa revealed that the trend happening in Bawku is worrying. He noted that “the sporadic fighting with the military did not start today”.

Dr Bonaa underscored 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.

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

GAF refutes killing allegations

Meanwhile, the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has responded to allegations 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.

According to GAF, the allegations of purported killings are untrue. It indicated that allegations of military personnel have seized Zoogin, a Kusasi community is also untrue.

GAF categorically stated that the allegations are” false and unfounded”. 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, GAF indicated, fired through the tyre and engine compartment of the vehicle, which has resulted in the bus currently being packed at Assylum Down, Bawku Divisional Police Station for the investigation to be conducted.

Additionally, it revealed that 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, GAF stated 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 tribe was arrested, who 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.”
Ghana Armed Forces

The release highlighted that 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.

Prior to this, the Upper East Regional Co-ordinating Council requested the residents of Bawku not to engage the military in combat over recent disagreements. It explained that any move by the civilians to retaliate will cause more havoc to them.