A security analyst, Irbard Ibrahim, has described the decision to ban the wearing of smock in Bawku in the Upper East region following the threat of insecurity in the area as ‘insignificant’.
The security analyst said the posture by the regional minister is not the best approach to resolve the insecurity situation in the country.
His comments follows the decision by the Upper East Regional Minister, Stephen Yakubu, to ban the wearing of smock in Bawku and the curfew imposed on Bawku Municipality by the interior minister.
Reacting to the development on Angel FM’s Anopa Bofo morning show, Mr. Irbard said the decision to ban residents from wearing smock in Bawku specifically as measures to prevent people from hiding guns and other weapons in the dress to cause mayhem has no basis.
He told, host Kofi Adoma Nwanwani, that he sees no wisdom behind banning the wearing of ‘Batakari’ over ‘Fugu’ since the fugu is more comfortable and convenient for people to hide weapons in it.
To this regards, Irbard Ibrahim suggested that authorities and stakeholders in the area reverse the decision and have a consultative dialogue to solve the long over due insecurity cases in the region for once because suspending the wearing of smock is worthless.
He added that, to resolve cases of insecurity in the northern sector of the country as a whole requires involving personnel from the national security, the regional and national house of chiefs in order to save tax payers money for the developmental projects.
He therefore, advised stakeholders to be circumspect in any peace building initiative to avoid worsening the matter in an attempt to resolve conflict issues.
Stressing on the economic consequences of the curfew to the people of Bawku, Mr. Ibrahim hinted that it will also affect the livelihood of the people because Bawku is one of the most productive towns in the country.
He further noted that neighbouring towns that trade with Bawku will be affected economically too.
CURFEW
The Interior Ministry has imposed a curfew on Bawku Municipality and its adjoining communities in the Upper East Region.
It follows a threat of insecurity in the mentioned communities.
A statement signed by the Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery, said that the curfew takes effect from 4:00pm to 6:00am starting Wednesday November 24,2021.
Again, the statement warned that any person found carrying a weapon would be arrested.
