Mahama condemns killing of soldier in Bawku, calls for restraint

President John Dramani Mahama has strongly condemned the killing of a military officer in Bawku, as well as the reported military retaliation that left several residents, including women and children, injured.

During his visit to the Upper East Region on Thursday, March 20, 2025, as part of his “Thank You Tour,” President Mahama expressed his dismay over the incident.

“I wish to take this opportunity to condemn the killing of a member of the Ghana Army recently in Bawku. The members of the Ghana Armed Forces in the conflict zone are peacekeepers who have been sent there to protect life, limb, and property. It is unacceptable for them to become targets of a conflict to which they are not a party," he stated.

He also criticised the excessive response by the military, which resulted in injuries to innocent civilians.

“I can understand the righteous anger at the loss of a colleague serviceman, but we must exercise restraint and use effective intelligence gathering to identify and bring the culprits to book,” he added.

President Mahama extended his condolences to the family of the deceased soldier and sympathised with those affected by the military’s counteraction.

Emphasising the importance of unity and development, he stated that every region, including the Upper East, deserves its fair share of progress.

He further commended the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, for his efforts in mediating the Bawku conflict and urged all parties involved to engage in the peace process with sincerity.

"I called His Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, yesterday to thank him for the commencement of his mediation efforts to find a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Bawku. It is my hope that all parties to the conflicts who took part in the mediation process in Manhyia last week will consider the proposal with an open mind and return in good faith to the negotiation when they resume in two weeks' time," he said.