By Ashiadey Dotse
Dr. Palgrave Boakye Danquah, the Spokesperson on Governance and Security, spoke on GBC’s Focus on October 30, 2024, about the increasing violence and casualties in the ongoing Bawku conflict. He stated that the government is strengthening efforts to restore peace in the area, emphasising that bringing stability and preventing more bloodshed are priorities.
The conflict, rooted in long-standing ethnic tensions between ethnic groups, was recently reignited following the return of a contested Chief to the region—a development that has heightened tensions.
Dr. Boakye Danquah revealed that while the government was unaware of the Chief’s arrival, security agencies swiftly gathered intelligence and intervened to prevent what could have been a more catastrophic situation.
“Our intelligence did not fail; rather, it has effectively limited the scale of violence,” Dr. Danquah asserted, countering claims of security lapses. He commended the coordinated efforts of both uniformed and plain-clothes security personnel working to de-escalate the situation. A curfew has been implemented to stabilise the area, enforced by the Ghana Police and military presence, alongside intelligence teams actively engaging with the community to maintain order.
Dr. Danquah noted that the presence of the contested chief in Bawku is a key factor in the ongoing unrest.
“The immediate course of action is to remove him from the environment to avoid further provocation,” he stated. This approach, he explained, is crucial in ensuring peaceful conditions for the upcoming national elections. His remarks reflect the government’s commitment to preventing any potential political exploitation of the situation, especially considering that both leading presidential contenders have connections to the Northern region.
The government’s strategy, Dr. Danquah explained, extends beyond immediate conflict management. He advocated a framework to permanently resolve chieftaincy disputes and prevent future conflicts, emphasizing the importance of documented records to preserve historical context and lineage. “We need a system in place for posterity—a foundation that will stand for the next 50 or even 100 years,” he said.
Dr. Danquah also underscored the need for sensitivity and restraint, cautioning against inflaming ethnic divisions. He stressed that external influences or politicisation of the Bawku conflict could amplify tensions, referencing the importance of historical awareness to avoid scenarios similar to other nations that have faced devastating internal conflict.
With tensions high and the stakes even higher, the government has reiterated its dedication to peace and security, implementing firm yet tactful measures. As Dr. Danquah concluded, “Our goal is a peaceful, unified Ghana, where each citizen’s safety and voice are paramount—especially during this critical electoral period.”