Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has called on the government to pay more attention to the crisis in Bawku in the Upper East Region.
According to him, a solution is needed urgently to end the violence that has characterized the area lest it paves the way for terrorists to infiltrate the country.
Mr Ablakwa indicated that the number of people dying as a result of the conflict was unacceptable and required the government’s urgent attention.
“We have to find a solution. We forget that too many people are dying in this country, and it’s become like a forgotten area. People are being killed in silence, and we don’t even remember them. I’m deeply worried about that,” he said.
He expressed concern that as the country approaches the election period, if the Bawku conflict is not resolved quickly, terrorists can take advantage of the situation, posing a greater threat to Ghana’s security.
“And going into the elections, and you know it’s close to the border and what is happening in the sub-region, terrorists on the loose, you know Burkina Faso, about 70% is controlled by the terrorists.
“It’s such a toxic and volatile situation that if we don’t address that, that can become the avenue for destabilizing the entire country, so I’m concerned about that,” he said on Joy FM.
Bawku has experienced chieftaincy conflict for many years, which has led to the death of many people.
Several properties have also been destroyed.
According to the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the area, Amadu Hamza, close to 200 people have been killed in the renewed Bawku conflict from November 2021 to August 2023.
In a radio interview on Monday, August 14, 2023, the MCE said even though official records on the death toll from the conflict with the police may be far lesser, the reality on the grounds far outweighs what the police have.
“Many have died, and their bodies were never given to the police,” he said.