By Belinda Nketia
A fresh wave of violence has swept through Bawku, leaving eight people dead and many more injured. Security agencies are racing against time to contain the situation, but experts warn that the conflict’s deep-seated roots demand more than just a temporary fix.
Emmanuel Kotin, a renowned security analyst, expressed his frustration on GTV’s breakfast show on October 28, 2024. “Bawku is an embarrassment to the country,” he stated, attributing the ongoing conflict to the overpoliticization of state institutions.
“We know the solution and the way forward to bring peace, but we won’t implement it,” Kotin lamented. “The peacekeepers on the ground are stakeholders in the country, and that’s why we are unable to find realistic solutions devoid of bias.”
Kotin advocated for a non-partisan commission to investigate the historical roots of the conflict, which dates back to Ghana’s independence. “Bawku has become a Waterloo in our fight against terrorism,” he warned.
“We need to put in effort and listen to the grievances of all parties involved.”
The conflict’s historical tensions between the Kusasi and Mamprusi ethnic groups have simmered for decades, fueled by colonial legacy and competing interests. As Ghana struggles to address its long-standing issues, the international community watches with concern.
Will the government’s efforts be enough to quell the violence, or will Bawku remain a ticking time bomb? Only time will tell.
