Security Analyst Proposes Solutions to Bawku’s Longstanding Dispute
The Shocking Truth About the Bawku Conflict: It's Not What You Think
- Local voices must be heard to address the core issues of the conflict effectively
- Understanding the historical and socio-economic factors driving the conflict is essential for a viable solution
- A genuine effort from both government and local leaders is crucial to achieving lasting peace in Bawku
The Bawku conflict is a protracted and complex ethnic and chieftaincy dispute in the Bawku municipality of the Upper East Region of Ghana.
It primarily involves two main ethnic groups: the Kusasi and the Mamprusi.
The conflict has historical, political, and economic dimensions, and its roots can be traced back to Chieftaincy Disputes, Colonial Legacy and Post-Independence Politics.
In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, violence escalated sporadically, often fueled by political rivalries, land disputes, and resource competition.
Clashes have resulted in loss of lives, displacement, and significant destruction of property.
On Sunday, 27th October 2024, Eight travelers were killed by gunmen who set up roadblocks along the Bolgatanga-Tamale highway near Gbimsi, close to Walewale.
The armed assailants halted vehicles in both Gbimsi and Walewale Town, interrogating passengers to identify their targets.
The brutal attack resulted in the deaths of approximately eight individuals, and two vehicles were set on fire, raising serious security alarms.
A survivor shared their harrowing experience: “I was traveling from Sunyani to Paga. When I reached Walewale, I encountered roadblocks, and people were being searched for execution. This lasted over an hour without any security response.”
This incident is linked to the resurgent Bawku Conflict, which had seen a lull in violence until now.
In light of this resurgence of violence, Nana Owusu Appiah, Executive Director of Global Intelligent Security Analysis, has proposed actionable solutions to resolve the conflict during a segment on Lawson TV/Radio’s Ghana Se Sen program with Kwame Tanko.
Nana Owusu Appiah emphasized the need to engage with the communities involved, identifying the sentiments of both tribes to facilitate understanding.
He highlighted that simply deploying security forces won’t suffice to resolve the underlying issues.
Drawing parallels with the resolution of the Dagbon conflict, he noted that genuine commitment and sacrifices from the government and leaders are crucial to achieving lasting peace in Bawku.
“The government needs to show true dedication if it aims to resolve the Bawku conflict,” he stated.
