The Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining peace and security in the Bawku and Alavanyo areas, where recent tensions have raised concerns about stability.
Addressing journalists at the Jubilee House on Monday, July 21, as part of the Government Accountability Series, Dr. Boamah disclosed that the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) is maintaining a high state of alert and closely monitoring the situation in both regions.
He emphasized that although the security landscape remains fragile, particularly due to chieftaincy and ethnic-related unrest, the military is prepared to act swiftly to prevent further escalation and protect lives and property.
“We acknowledge that the situation in Bawku and Alavanyo and their immediate surroundings remains volatile. The Ghana Armed Forces is actively monitoring and has put in place robust mechanisms to ensure any potential escalation is swiftly contained,” Dr. Boamah said, adding that the government is also committed to long-term conflict resolution through dialogue.
The Minister cautioned that while efforts are being made to resolve the issues peacefully, individuals exploiting the instability to commit crimes will face the full force of the law.
“In doing so, we shall always separate crimes from traditional matters,” he said, highlighting the need to distinguish criminal activity from legitimate cultural disputes.
Dr. Boamah’s remarks follow a series of incidents in the Upper East Region and other conflict-prone zones, where ongoing ethnic tensions and unresolved chieftaincy disputes have led to sporadic violence and the displacement of residents.
The Ministry of Defence, in collaboration with other security agencies, continues to maintain its presence in these areas to safeguard peace while working behind the scenes to support mediation efforts.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
