The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) of exacerbating the long-standing Bawku conflict for political advantage ahead of the 2024 general elections, warning that the recent escalation in violence is a direct consequence of irresponsible political conduct.
Speaking at a press conference held at the NPP’s headquarters in Accra, General Secretary of the party, Justin Frimpong Kodua, condemned the deteriorating security situation in Bawku, describing it as deeply tragic and politically induced.
He charged the current government, led by President John Dramani Mahama, to prioritise national interest and abandon what he called “political tendencies” in its response to the crisis.
“The Bawku conflict is something that we, the New Patriotic Party, are extremely concerned about. Human lives are being lost each and every day. Innocent students are being murdered. Innocent citizens are also losing their lives not by choice, but because of where they find themselves and the tribe they belong to.”
NPP General Secretary of the party, Justin Frimpong Kodua
According to the NPP General Secretary, the worsening situation in Bawku cannot be isolated from the political dynamics that unfolded during the 2024 election campaign.
He accused the then-candidate, now President John Dramani Mahama, of using the conflict for political leverage by promising to resolve the matter once elected.
“In the heat of the Bawku crisis ahead of the 2024 general elections, the then-candidate Mahama made several pronouncements and wanted to take advantage of the crisis in Bawku by accusing the then government, led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, of neglect”.
NPP General Secretary of the party, Justin Frimpong Kodua
He argued that such campaign tactics were not only disingenuous but also dangerous, given the sensitive nature of the Bawku conflict, which has deep roots in chieftaincy, ethnicity, and legitimacy disputes.
“In politics, it is not everything that we allow propaganda and misrepresentation to lead us, especially when it has to do with chieftaincy, legitimacy, religion, or ethnicity”.
NPP General Secretary of the party, Justin Frimpong Kodua
NDC’s Guilt
Justin Kodua further alleged that incidents leading up to the 2024 elections clearly point to what he described as the NDC’s orchestration of tribal tensions in the area.
“If you examine the issues that happened in Bawku prior to the 2024 elections, you can tell that indeed, the NDC orchestrated several tribal issues in Bawku. That is why we find ourselves in this unprecedented crisis”.
NPP General Secretary of the party, Justin Frimpong Kodua
The conflict in Bawku, located in the Upper East Region, has intensified in recent weeks with frequent clashes, loss of lives, and growing fears among residents, especially students and workers. Recent reports have confirmed the deaths of several civilians, including students, in targeted attacks that appear to be ethnically motivated.
In response to the violence, the government has imposed curfews, banned the possession of weapons, and deployed military forces to the area. President Mahama’s administration has also initiated peacebuilding talks led by prominent traditional authorities.
However, the NPP insisted that the conflict could have been mitigated if political actors had acted responsibly before and after the 2024 elections.
The NPP, while offering its full support to peacebuilding efforts, called on the NDC government to demonstrate political maturity and a genuine commitment to resolving the crisis.
“For the sake of our democracy and for the sake of people’s lives that matter, we are ever ready to assist the government in finding a lasting solution in Bawku”.
NPP General Secretary of the party, Justin Frimpong Kodua
He stressed the need for the government to recognise the Bawku crisis as a matter of urgent national concern, devoid of political calculation. “We are calling on the NDC government to treat this matter as a matter of national interest and shield away their political tendencies and interest,” he urged.
The NPP’s statement reflects the broader political tension surrounding the conflict, with both the opposition and ruling parties trading blame over who bears responsibility for the escalation. However, the party insists that its focus is on preserving lives and ensuring national cohesion.
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