The Sahara Institute for Law & Policy has criticized the Ghanaian government for its perceived negligence in addressing the on-going Bawku crisis, marked by violence, arson, and killings.
The conflict, rooted in interethnic chieftaincy disputes, has escalated despite government intervention, raising concerns about national security amid rising terrorism in West Africa.
The Institute argues that the government’s militarized approach fails to tackle the underlying issues, instead exacerbating tensions
“The government is keen on militarization, arrests, and prosecutions. This flows from the narrow framing of the Bawku issue as one that hinges on criminality and law enforcement. At best, such a coercive approach helps in deescalating the violence but does not address the root causes of the problem in a way that will secure lasting peace, mutual co-existence, and economic development in
Bawku.”
The Institute accused key political figures of showing bias, which undermines the impartiality needed for resolution.
“A regrettable shortcoming of the Government on the protracted Bawku crisis is that key political figures, including the President and the Ministers for Defence and Chieftaincy, have demonstrated bias on a hypersensitive matter that requires sound evidential
analysis, legal scrutiny, and diplomacy”.
They, however, urge the government to adopt effective solutions that require evidence-based strategies and neutral government involvement to mitigate violence and foster long-term peace in Bawku.
By: Kwadwo Owusu
