The Parliamentary Select Committee on Defence and Interior has called on the government to adopt a more sustainable approach to solve the ethnic clashes in Bawku.
According to a committee member, Bawa Muhammad Braimah, the killings and never-ending attacks are “a worrisome situation”, and all parties and stakeholders must strive “to ensure that at least the conflict becomes a thing of the past.”
The conflict between the Mamprusis and Kusasis has left 18 people dead and many properties destroyed.
The latest was an attack that occurred on December 18 at Sing-Naatin, a suburb in Bawku, which resulted in the loss of seven lives with several properties being destroyed by unknown gunmen.
Mr Braimah assured that when parliament resumes, the committee will visit Bawku to ascertain the situation and find lasting solutions to the conflict, which has claimed many lives and properties.
“As the Defence and Interior Committee, we made efforts to visit the area to talk to the people, but we couldn’t do it because of the budget vetting, but after Parliament resumes on January 24 2023, the Committee will undertake a trip to Bawku to ensure that at least, we can find lasting solutions to the conflict that pervades in the area.”
He called on the government to use any resources and security establishments available to ensure there is calm in the area.
“For now, we are calling on the Government to use all the security apparatus available to ensure there is calm in the area to protect life and property.”
It would be recalled that on December 19, 2022, several people were reportedly killed while others sustained various injuries in the renewed chieftaincy clash at Bawku.
The violence erupted after the alleged killing of an old man and his son at Natinga on Saturday.
The old man was shot dead at home, while his son died later on Sunday. This led to sporadic shooting within the Bawku township leading to casualties.
For months, the Bawku township has experienced recurring curfews imposed by the Ministry for the Interior due to the restart of the conflict in November 2021.
The Upper East Regional Security Council further banned the wearing of smocks, riding of motorbikes and operation of tricycles in the community.