Executive director of RISE Ghana, Awal Ahmed Kariama, has disclosed that the incidence of conflicts recorded in Bawku, in the Upper East region of the country is one of violent extremism.
According to him, by its very nature, the conflict has positioned some groups of people who are willing to use force or extreme measures, carry out their agenda be it political, ethnic or economic. He revealed that due to the volatile nature of this, he does not understand why the REGSEC is not able to provide necessary escort and guarantee the safety citizens are asking for.
To this end, Mr Kariama expressed his excitement over the fact that citizens are beginning to use civic means to ensure government addresses the pervading violence in the area.
“I want to emphasize that the issue in Bawku is a clear case of violent extremism… So, people are being deprived from exercising their right to go about their business, using violence and gun violence in this case. So, this is a clear case of violent extremism…”
Awal Ahmed Kariama
Commenting on the appeal made by residents in Bawku on the need for government to provide escort schedules and security visibility on roads, Mr Kariama underscored his disappointment in the lax manner in which REGSEC is handling the matter. He stated that unfortunately, the Upper East regional security council has been very “tightlipped” on the issue.
Furthermore, Mr Kariama explained that his outfit has issued a press release and written to the Council on the matter on several occasions, but has not had any feedback from them.
“We think that it’s just a lack of responsiveness and accountability on the part of the Upper East REGSEC, because clearly, there are incidences – military intelligence vehicles were attacked before, immigration vehicle was travelling and attacked, and one immigration officer was shot and killed… Based on the fact that they are responsible with the legal and moral mandate to be able to execute and ensure the total security of the region when these things happen, it is expected that on their own volition, and based on their goodwill and the fact that they have an obligation to move forward and act, unfortunately, there have been several calls to the Upper East REGSEC on this subject and they seem to turn a blind eye.”
Awal Ahmed Kariama
Upper East REGSEC urged to address Bawku conflict
Mr Kariama indicated that the reluctance of REGSEC to address the issue sets a very “dangerous” precedent. He highlighted that when compared to the North East incident, less than 24 hours when the violent incident occurred, the police hierarchy at the highest national level, issued a statement linking it to the Bawku conflict and indicated that they were on a manhunt for the perpetrators.
This move, Mr Kariam noted, sends a very good signal to stakeholders because the police hierarchy is supposed to be on top of its game by picking intelligence and acting swiftly.
“.. Unfortunately, when you balance the two regions, you don’t see the swiftness with which the police have acted in the North East region happen in the Upper East region. Is it that the police hierarchy at the national level in the Upper East region are being curtailed in terms of their mouths are being shut, or they’re not appropriately having the necessary briefing that they should have? So, we are saying that based on the happenings and the pockets of incidences, we’ve indicated that from November 2021, to date, people have been going about their businesses, and they are accosted and killed.”
Awal Ahmed Kariama
Moreover, Mr Kariama revealed that the state has the responsibility to protect citizens of Bawku and ensure that they are able to exercise their social, political, as well as economic rights, something which government is reneging on. He lamented that for the past two years, children have not had constant contact hours with their teachers in Bawku as a result of the conflict.
“So, the lack of action on the part of REGSEC is actually undermining the human resource potential of the area, the peace and security of the area, and economic prospects of the area. We know that Bawku is one of the best areas in terms of business… These attacks are not limited to only citizens of Bawku, there are vehicles which come from Togo and Burkina Faso to ply business in the Bawku central district, and they are prevented. That’s the other angle that we need to look at. It’s taking an international dimension. If care is not taken, we might just set up Bawku or Ghana and expose Ghana to terrorist attacks…”
Awal Ahmed Kariama
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