Executive Director for Rural Initiative for Self-Empowerment (RISE) Ghana, Awal Ahmed Kariama, has decried the ensuing conflict in Bawku, in the Upper East Region.

According to him, due to the resurgence of conflict within the area, it has led to the breakdown of trust of residents for state institutions by its citizens. He indicated that among other things, there have been serious allegations made by residents about extra-judicial killings and the involvement of state security apparatus in the maintenance of order.

Mr Kariama emphasized that some residents are even accusing the military of killing citizens and entering their homes during curfew hours. To this, he expressed the need for government’s intervention as such concerns have not been given the needed national attention it deserves, highlighting that failure to do so will mean that the situation will continue.

“I mean way back in 2008, there has been allegations of military involvement, and how much have we investigated this matter and what feedback are we giving to the citizenry? As we speak today, our work in Bawku, we have realized that there’s a breakdown of trust in legitimacy of state institutions. We are talking about the fact that the REGSEC is a very impartial body that seeks to build and seek peace in the Bawku area. But as we speak, both factions do not trust the REGSEC. As both factions do not trust REGSEC, it is difficult for the REGSEC to be able to initiate measures that will bring lasting peace to the area.”
Awal Ahmed Kariama

Describing the situation in Bawku as “very unfortunate”, Mr Kariama stated that there is no aspect of human rights that has not been violated or abused since the Bawku conflict re-erupted as far back as November 2021. He expressed that there are serious security lapses in the area that tend to undermine the very fundamental right of the citizens of Bawku.

“So, we are talking about the fact that the resurgence of this conflict has dragged from November 2021 to date and in between that, Ghana as a country has ascribed to protect and uphold the citizens’ rights from the right to survival, economic and cultural rights. When you situate that to Bawku, all these rights are being violated.
“We are talking about the fact that the freedom of movement by people to be able to conduct their business from one place to another is restricted, the right to life and survival of women especially is violated. Then also, that of men and boys as well. We have seen people going about their business and they have been accosted, shot and killed. “
Awal Ahmed Kariama

Furthermore, the Rise Ghana executive director underscored that there’s a lot of political interference in terms of how the matter is being handled. He explained that there are certain drastic measures that clearly need to be taken.

Resolving the conflict in Bawku

Mr Kariama noted that as a representative of a human rights organization, he is not talking about any draconian measures or extra-judicial measures that will be instituted which may likely abuse the right of the citizenry. However, he noted that these measures must be placed within the context of ensuring the preservation of people’s rights.

“For instance, the regional security council issued a measure where they banned the use of tricycles and during that period, we know that a lot of livelihoods were lost but it brought some sanity…”
Awal Ahmed Kariama

Mr Kariama equally proposed that government must look critically at information management and propaganda. He reckoned that there’s a lot of propaganda, disinformation and fake news in Bawku going through social media and that affects the ability of the security to even collect the intelligence.

“So, that drastic measure of banning the tricycles resulted in the situation where the guns went silence. But you have to look at it and balance it with the ability of the people to earn a livelihood.”
Awal Ahmed Kariama