Bawku conflict: Parties suspend political campaigns

Three parliamentary candidates within the six constituencies of the Bawku enclave in the Upper East Region have suspended their political campaigns, citing the renewed crisis in the area.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidates for Bawku Central and Zebilla, Paul Agobiri Alale and Dr John Kingsley Krugu respectively, and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Binduri, Issifu Mahmoud, announced the action following the return of violence in the area.

According to them, the current situation in Bawku required attention, and that it was critical to prioritise the safety of the people in the wake of the growing tension and insecurity within the Bawku zone.

“In the interim, I have suspended all party activities until the government takes decisive action on the ongoing acts that have the potential to threaten the peace and security in the area,” Dr Krugu said in a statement.

Various sources have suggested that several of people have been killed leading to heightened tension in Bawku and adjoining districts since the resurfacing of the unending conflict last week.

It is, however, unclear what triggered the latest escalation, which has worsened the security situation in the already volatile Bawku town.

The new developments have brought the once vibrant economic hub to its knees as traders and residents are unable to go about their activities with ease.

Assembly locked

According to informed sources, some angry youth locked up the offices of the Bawku Municipal Assembly as a result of the situation, warning staff to stay out of the offices.

As if that was not enough, the youth posted many messages on the assembly’s building and parked vehicles on the premises, demanding specific state actions about the recurring chieftaincy-related conflict or the assembly would remain closed.

The insecurity in the town had already hampered the work of the staff of the municipal assembly who had sometimes operated away from their offices, insider sources indicated.

Security assurance

Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Armed Forces have assured the public that they are working to bring the security situation in Bawku, its surrounding areas and the channel along the Bolgatanga-Walewale-Tamale highway under control.

A statement issued yesterday said aside from the military deployment in Bawku and its environs, there was a joint police and military deployment along the Bolgatanga-Walewale-Tamale highway to ensure security and to manage vehicular traffic.

“The security agencies would like to once again assure the public that we are committed to maintaining peace, law and order in Bawku and surrounding communities,” the statement said.