KPC urges government to let law reign in Bawku

The President of the Kusaug Peoples Congress (KPC), Rev. Prof. John Azumah, has called on the government to take immediate and decisive action to restore law and order in Bawku in the Upper East Region.

Prof. Azumah urged the government to uphold its duty to protect the sovereignty of the Kusasi people by acting swiftly to prevent further bloodshed in the town. 

At a news conference in Accra last Thursday, Prof. Azumah insisted that clear enforcement of the law would end the prolonged violence in Bawku. 

He also pointed to the role of law enforcement in ensuring a peaceful, stable Bawku, arguing that a consistent government stance on upholding court decisions could bring the much-needed stability to the region. 

Discipline

He further highlighted that the discipline, patience and tolerance of the Kusasi people, who had twice won the chieftaincy case in court, had been stretched to unbearable limits, and that they would no longer engage in legal battles, which, he said, had delayed peace and progress in the region.

Prof. Azumah called on authorities to enforce court rulings that had upheld the legitimacy of Zugraan Bawku Naba Azoka II as the Chief of the area, emphasising that this would be essential for long-term peace.

The president of the association expressed disappointment at what he described as the government’s failure to address the violence in Bawku effectively.

He said this had made the people of Bawku and the Kusaug community feel “abandoned and betrayed by the State”.

"Recognising the sovereignty of the Kusasi people and enforcing the rule of law in Bawku are crucial steps toward not only restoring order but also paving the way for meaningful development," Prof. Azumah said in an interview following the press conference. 

Insecurity

He noted that failing to protect Bawku’s residents had hampered the people’s growth and well-being as the community would not thrive amid constant insecurity. 

Prof. Azumah called on all stakeholders to work toward “a Bawku where the sovereignty of the Kusaug community was respected and not negotiated”. 

He appealed to the government to demonstrate a renewed dedication to peace in Bawku, a commitment that would reflect a broader respect for the diverse cultural landscape of Ghana.