During a high-level working tour in the conflict-affected region, Major General Lawrence Kweku Gbetanu, the Chief of Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces, stated the army’s steadfast commitment to pursuing those responsible for the Bawku conflict.
Speaking to residents and military personnel, the senior officer reiterated the Ghana Armed Forces‘ (GAF) commitment to defending property and lives despite the ongoing violence in the area.
“I wish to assure the people of Bawku and the entire nation that the Ghana Armed Forces is committed to its responsibility of protecting lives and properties. We will not relent in our efforts to create an environment conducive to peace and security.”
Major General Lawrence Kweku Gbetanu, Chief of Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces
Following a spike in violent incidents that have left many dead and the local economy in ruins, his remarks reveal a growing sense of urgency among national security agencies.
The military, which has remained in the area to assist in reducing the violence, seems to be adopting a more assertive posture.
However, Major General Gbetanu cautioned, “Let me serve a word of caution to all, especially those fomenting the trouble in Bawku: their days are getting numbered.”
He emphasized that any assault on civilians or security personnel would be considered an act of extremism and would be dealt with with the full force of the Ghanaian military.
No Safe Haven for Trouble Makers
The Ghana Armed Forces will carefully plan to pursue every individual involved in the Bawku conflict and to ensure that justice is served, the army chief said, adding that there will be no safe haven for those who choose the path of violence.
He also urged the young people involved in the conflict to turn away, embrace peace, and decide on a course that promotes harmony and peace.
“Your future does not lie in bloodshed, but in building, learning, and growing your country. We urge the youth: lay down your arms and return to the path of peace.”
Major General Lawrence Kweku Gbetanu, Chief of Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces
His comments follow Dr. Christian Tetteh Yohunu, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), who also visited Bawku a few days prior to evaluate the security situation and coordinate police-military efforts.
The coordinated national response to the intensifying conflict, which still threatens local civilians and security forces, is reflected in these high-level engagements.
Traditional mediation is being re-examined as part of the multifaceted strategy to resolve the Bawku crisis.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, will resume his efforts to mediate peace in Kumasi from April 28 to May 1, 2025, according to a press release from the Office of the Asantehene’s Chief of Staff.
Given his prominence and experience in national peacebuilding efforts, many generally applaud the revered monarch’s impending mediation.
His participation is an important cultural and moral intervention, particularly at a time when social cohesion in the area is under extreme strain.
In Ghana’s chieftaincy and political scene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has long stood for harmony and reconciliation.
Both sides in the Bawku chieftaincy dispute as well as national leaders looking for a long-term solution are anticipated to support his renewed involvement.
With its origins in long-standing ethnic and chieftaincy tensions, the Bawku conflict has raged for decades, sometimes erupting into deadly violence.
The situation is still unstable despite multiple government actions and the deployment of security forces.
A comprehensive solution that incorporates strong security operations with communication, peacemaking, and financial assistance has been demanded time and time again by security experts and civil society actors.
The current approach provides a complex route to de-escalation and is characterized by military reinforcement, police coordination, and conventional mediation.
However, the cooperation of local stakeholders and the readiness of armed groups and resentful parties to make peace commitments will be crucial to the success of these initiatives.
It is the hope that the Ghana Armed Forces, backed by the Ghana Police Service and respected traditional institutions, latest resolve would help to end the bloodshed in Bawku and restore peace to a region long yearning for stability.
