Bawku Conflict Could End Swiftly, but Political Barriers Prevent Action – Soldiers

In a rare and emotional revelation, security personnel deployed to restore peace in   Bawku have lamented that they could bring the ongoing conflict to a halt in just hours, but political interference and higher-level orders are preventing them from doing so.

Speaking anonymously on the Ghana Se Sen morning show on Lawson TV/Radio, the soldiers expressed their frustration with the limitations placed upon them.

The personnel, tasked with maintaining peace in one of Ghana’s most persistently unstable regions, claim that despite their training and readiness, they are bound by orders from above that prevent them from taking decisive action.

“We can end this conflict in hours if we are allowed to,” one officer said. “But we are held back by higher commands who are influenced by political motives.”

The Bawku conflict, which has raged for years, is rooted in longstanding ethnic tensions, but the soldiers on the ground insist that the ongoing violence could be stopped quickly if they were permitted to take the necessary steps.

“The orders we receive are not about peace,” another soldier explained. “They are about politics. We’re caught in a system that doesn’t prioritize the safety of the people or our own lives.”

In addition to their frustrations with political interference, the soldiers also described the harsh living conditions they face in the region. They revealed that they are stationed in remote locations far from Bawku itself, where they struggle with inadequate food supplies, inconsistent water deliveries, and limited access to essential resources.

“Our food comes from regions far away, and we only get it in batches. Sometimes it’s days before we see any supplies,” one officer shared. “We’re isolated, we’re underfed, and we’re living in constant fear.”

The officers also spoke candidly about their safety concerns, highlighting that the local population often sees them as enemies rather than peacekeepers.

“If you’re in a uniform, you’re a target,” said one soldier. “We are not safe here. The civilians view us as the enemy, and we fear for our lives every day. But we’re here because we’ve been ordered to be here.”

Despite these dire conditions, the soldiers remain committed to their mission, but their faith in the system is waning. They expressed a deep sense of hopelessness as they described their inability to protect civilians or end the violence due to the restrictions placed upon them by those in power.

“We want peace, we want to help the people of Bawku,” one officer said. “But if we are not allowed to act, if we are forced to watch while more lives are lost, how can we continue?”

The situation in Bawku has been exacerbated by the influence of political figures, according to the soldiers, who claim that political agendas are often prioritized over the welfare of the citizens.

“The decisions being made up there,” one soldier said, gesturing upwards, “are not about what’s best for Bawku. They’re about what benefits the politicians. We are left to deal with the mess they’ve created.”

As the soldiers continue to carry out their orders, they remain under a cloud of uncertainty and fear, uncertain of what tomorrow will bring.

Their only plea is for their voices to be heard, for the international community and the public to understand the hardships they face, and for those in power to allow them to act swiftly and decisively.

“We are here to help. We are here to stop the violence. But we need the freedom to do so,” one soldier concluded. “Without that, nothing will change.”

The Bawku conflict continues to be one of Ghana’s most complex and tragic crises, and it remains to be seen whether those in power will listen to the cries of the very personnel entrusted with ending the violence.