The Minority Caucus in Parliament has sounded a stark alarm over the worsening security situation in Bawku, calling for immediate and decisive government intervention to prevent a total breakdown of law and order in the area.
The statement, signed by Hon. Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, Ranking Member on the Committee on Defence and Interior, warns that the escalating violence is not only endangering lives but also crippling services and threatening national stability.
According to the Minority, recent months have seen an alarming spike in violence marked by deadly attacks, targeted killings, arson, and home invasions.
“Persistent violence continues to endanger lives and displace residents. Reports suggest a high death toll with many more people said to be missing than those reported dead”
Minority Caucus in Parliament
What is more troubling, the Caucus noted, is the increasing “sophistication” of weapons used in the attacks, raising serious questions about how such arms are making their way into the region.
The Minority questioned the effectiveness of the measures in place to bar such weapons from making way into the country and compromising national security.
The group pointed to the recent targeted attack on a bus and the torching of the residence of Hon. Mahama Ayariga, the leader of the Majority Caucus, as signs of rising volatility and disillusionment, particularly among the youth in the area.
According to the minority, failure to de-escalate tensions will lead to a “cycle of reprisals,” which, if unchecked, will “further entrench insecurity” in the area.
National and Regional Threat
The strategic national and regional importance of Bawku, a town situated near Ghana’s border with Burkina Faso, cannot be overemphasized. The Minority argues that the unrest has implications far beyond the Upper East Region.
“The expansion of attacks to other regions, including the North East and Ahafo, further underscores the urgent need for a more coordinated response”
Minority Caucus in Parliament
The Caucus emphasized that the ongoing violence, if not immediately addressed, could destabilize neighboring regions and undermine Ghana’s broader internal security posture.
Beyond the violence, the insecurity in Bawku has had devastating effects on public services.
“Schools have been forced to shut down, depriving children of their right to education. Key institutions and businesses are fleeing the area due to safety concerns”
Minority Caucus in Parliament
Healthcare and education have been particularly hard hit. Teachers and nurses are reportedly refusing to accept postings to Bawku, further undermining efforts to maintain even the most basic services.
Change Approach
The Minority argues that the current strategy for addressing the Bawku conflict is not producing results.
“It is evident that the current approach to addressing the conflict has not been sufficient to restore calm. The government must demonstrate greater urgency and decisiveness”
Minority Caucus in Parliament
They are calling for a radical shift in how the government handles the crisis in order to bring an immediate and definite end to the disturbing development in the region. While acknowledging the complexity of the conflict, the Minority insists that the residents of Bawku deserve better.
“The people of Bawku deserve to live in peace and security,” the statement said.
“We urge the government to prioritize a sustainable resolution to this crisis before it spirals further out of control”
Minority Caucus in Parliament
They concluded with a reminder that the stakes are too high for continued inaction.
“The deteriorating situation in Bawku is a national concern, and the government must take immediate action to prevent further escalation”
Minority Caucus in Parliament
The call comes amid growing pressure on the Mahama administration to uphold campaign promises related to national peace and cohesion, especially in vulnerable conflict-prone areas like Bawku.
They stressed that with each passing day, the humanitarian and security situation deteriorates further.
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