President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has appealed to the Bawku Naba, Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, to do everything he can to support efforts by the government aimed at bringing lasting peace to the Bawku Traditional Area and the Upper East Region at large.
The president made this call as he addressed the Bawku Naba and a royal delegation at Jubilee House in Accra on Tuesday (25 January).
“Bawku Naba, you know that ever since I took the oath of office and became president, my major concern has been to enforce the oath that I took to uphold the constitution and the laws of Ghana.
“The laws of Ghana include the decisions of the Supreme Court of our country, and I know fully well the nature of the decision the Supreme Court took over the … chieftaincy conflict which named you as the Bawku Naba,” the president said.
“Ever since I became president, I have not made any secret of the fact that, for me, he is the Bawku Naba,” the president told the guests. “So, with this background, I am hoping that the Bawku Naba will also find a way to co-operate with the government to bring peace to the area,” he said.
Spending on security
President Akufo-Addo observed that the state is spending a great deal of money to maintain the peace locally – monies which, he remarked, could be used to bring much-needed development to the people.
“The money we spend on security in Bawku, those monies could be used to develop the place,” the president observed.
President Akufo-Addo further told guests at the audience with the Bawku Naba at Jubilee House that he had invited all sides to Accra so that, together, they could try to hammer out a consensus that will bring peace and calm to the Upper East.
Recent curfew
Recent violence and killings in Bawku and its environs have caused the government, acting through the Ministry of the Interior, to impose a curfew on the city.
The imposition followed advice by the Upper East Regional Security Council (REGSEC) after the local area suffered threats of insecurity.
REGSEC statement
In a statement dated 10 January 2022, the REGSEC, in a drive to tighten security measures in the municipality, banned pillion riding in Bawku and neighbouring areas involving men.
Under the terms of the new directive, men are barred from carrying pillion passengers on their motorcycles within the conflict zone. Women, however, are allowed to carry other people on their motorbikes, but their passengers must be children or other women only.
The REGSEC said it was issuing the new directive after examining the local security situation critically.
It recommended an increased presence of security forces in the township, especially in suburbs such as those around the GOIL and Total filling stations.
Wilberforce Asare
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