The West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) is advocating diplomacy and dialogue as essential solutions to the Bawku crisis.
The entity believes that military intervention alone will not resolve the underlying issues.
President John Dramani Mahama has reiterated his government’s commitment to restoring peace to Bawku, urging residents to exercise restraint and support peacebuilding efforts in the region.
However, speaking to Starr News, National Network Coordinator of WANEP’s Ghana office Albert Yelyang argued that President Mahama’s visit sends the right message in fostering peace.
“”For me, and I believe for everyone involved in managing the conflict in Bawku, it requires a renewed commitment and a new approach to resolving the conflict, particularly concerning security in the area. This visit by the government, in my view, marks the setting of an agenda for resolving the conflict in Bawku and the broader region, which should be addressed in governance discussions.”
“I believe it requires a multi-stakeholder approach, involving not just the factions but all relevant parties both within and outside of Bawku. If we don’t address the underlying issues, we may see the symptoms of the conflict recurring in Bawku and potentially in other small communities in the North East region,” he added
Security Analyst, Adib Saani believes more needs to be done to avert the Bawku crisis.
The long-standing ethnic conflict between the Kusasi and Mamprusi groups, primarily rooted in chieftaincy disputes, has resisted multiple peace initiatives by successive governments.
The unrest continues to disrupt livelihoods and socio-economic activities in Bawku and its surrounding communities, with calls for more decisive and sustainable interventions growing louder.
Source: Ghana/StarrFM103.5FM/Benjamin Sackey
