The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has appealed to the residents of Bawku Traditional Area in the Upper East Region to bring to an end the continuous violence that has engulfed the region.
According to him, the state is spending so much money to maintain peace and provide security in the feuding Bawku enclave and its surrounding areas; monies he believes could be put to a better use.
“The monies we spent on security in Bawku could be used to develop the place. So I asked for you here so that we can find a way to work towards bringing peace and calm and understanding to Bawku,” he said.
He made the call when he addressed the Bawku Naba, Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, and his delegation at the Jubilee House on January 25, 2022, following their visit at the invitation of the President.
The president urged the Bawku Naba to do all he can to support government’s efforts to bring lasting peace to the Bawku Traditional Area.
“Bawku Naba, you know that ever since I took the oath of office and became President, my major concern has been to enforce the oath that I took to uphold the constitution and the laws of Ghana.
“The laws of Ghana include the decisions of the Supreme Court of our country and I know fully well, the nature of the decision the Supreme Court took over the Bawku chieftaincy conflict which named you as the Bawku Naba,” President Akufo-Addo said.
“Ever since I became President, I have not made any secret of the fact that for me, he is the Bawku Naba. So with this background, I am hoping that the Bawku Naba will also find a way to cooperate with government to bring peace to the area,” President Akufo-Addo added.
Recent violence and killings in the Bawku Municipality, has caused government, through the Ministry of Interior, to imposed a curfew in Bawku and its environs.
The imposition followed advice from the Upper East Regional Security Council (RESSEC) after the Bawku area experienced threats of insecurity.
REGSEC statement
In a statement dated 10 January 2022, the Upper East Regional Security Council (REGSEC) as part of security measures in Bawku, banned pillion riding involving men in the Municipality.
The new directive barrs men from carrying fellow men on the same motorcycle in the conflict zone. Women, per the release issued, were however allowed to carry other women only on the same motorcycle.
The REGSEC added that the new directive was given after a critical examination of the security situation in Bawku.
The Security Council recommended an increased presence of the security agencies in the township, especially, in suburbs such as around the GOIL and Total Filling Station areas.
