Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Ghana’s Minister for Defence, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to restoring lasting peace and internal security in Bawku and other affected areas in the Upper East Region, following renewed violence that has claimed the lives of three students.
Speaking in the wake of these tragic developments, Dr. Omane Boamah said the Mahama-led administration is taking further steps to retool the Ghana Armed Forces as part of a comprehensive national security strategy.
“We’re taking additional significant steps to retool the Ghana Armed Forces, ensuring internal peace and security everywhere and safeguarding our territories,” he stated, underscoring the government’s resolve to strengthen military capacity in the face of escalating violence in parts of the country.
The Minister’s comments come after a fresh wave of unrest in the Bawku enclave and its surrounding communities, where ethnic tensions have continued to simmer.
In the latest incident, three students lost their lives—two at Bawku Senior High School and one at Nalerigu Senior High School—raising alarm about the reach and brutality of the conflict. These killings have stirred national outrage and drawn renewed attention to the long-standing instability in the area.
In a separate but related development, just days before the student killings, the Chief of Kusasi in the Ashanti Region was reportedly shot in his home under unclear circumstances, adding to the growing sense of insecurity among citizens, particularly those connected to the volatile Kusasi-Mamprusi conflict.
In response to these developments, the government has taken immediate measures to de-escalate the violence. These include the imposition of an indefinite curfew in Bawku, now running from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. daily, to restrict movement and limit the risk of further clashes.
In addition, a ban on the possession of all forms of ammunition has been enforced, while military personnel have been deployed in the region to maintain law and order.
Dr. Omane Boamah emphasised the broader vision behind these measures, noting that peacebuilding and territorial integrity remain top priorities for the administration.
Commitment to #ResetGhana Agenda
“The Mahama Government is committed to #ResetGhana, and we’re working tirelessly to make it happen,” he said, referencing the government’s flagship reform agenda aimed at rebuilding and strengthening institutions across the country.
“Lasting peace shall surely return to Bawku and all affected areas,” the Minister assured, striking a hopeful tone despite the persistent instability in the region. His appeal was not limited to government action alone.
Dr. Omane Boamah called on all stakeholders, including traditional leaders, local authorities, youth groups, and civil society, to actively collaborate with the state to ensure peace and stability. “Let’s collaborate and build a safer, stronger Ghana together!” he urged, stressing the importance of collective responsibility in navigating the current crisis.
The Defence Minister’s remarks mark one of the clearest indications yet of the Mahama government’s intent to address head-on the security challenges in Bawku, which have long defied political interventions and security deployments.
Many Ghanaians are looking forward to the government for prompt, efficient, and long-lasting solutions, as student and community leader involvement has become a target.
For many security analysts, the Bawku conflict will be resolved in the long run through thorough peacebuilding, efforts at reconciliation, and equitable development for all impacted communities, even though military deployments and curfews may help temporarily quell the violence.
Expectations for improved logistical and operational preparedness to address such internal security threats in the future are also raised by the government’s commitment to retooling the Armed Forces.
As the government implements its security and peacebuilding initiatives in one of the most unstable areas of the nation, it is the hope and expectation of all well-meaning Ghanians that Dr. Omane Boamah’s promise of a stronger, safer Ghana is realised.
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