Bawku Indigenes Attribute Conflict To Lack Of Security Escorts
Some indigenes of Bawku in the Upper East Region have attributed the protracted Bawku chieftaincy conflict partly to the absence of security escorts on principal roads in and out of town.
They note that between November 2021 and July 2023, the Bawku Municipality recorded over 30 ambush attacks and road blockades on private and commercial vehicles leading to the loss of lives.
Citing neglect by the Upper East Regional Security Council (REGSEC), the residents believe that providing security escorts on key routes such as Bawku-Pulimakom, Bawku-Bolga, and Nalerigu-Gambaga-Bawku will deter criminals and curb their activities.
“The consistent neglect by the Upper East Regional Security Council (REGSEC) to provide escorts for travellers entering into and from the Bawku Township is sadly one of the reasons why the recent conflict has protracted since November 2021 as ambush killing re-escalate conflict.”
In a petition to the Ministry of Interior, the natives of the town acknowledged the efforts by the Police, the Military and the REGSEC to maintain law and order but demanded the provision of security escorts for travellers.
“We the undersigned therefore respectfully demand that the Ministry of Interior, the Upper East REGSEC and the Peace Council immediately within the space of a week upon receipt of this petition by Monday, 31st July 2023 provide a well-planned escort schedule with security visibility at vantage points on all routes for all citizen entering and leaving the Bawku areas from North East, Bolgatanga, Burkina Faso and Togo. OR we will explore other legal and lawful means to drum in our request.”
Read The Full Petition Below:
PETITION TO THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE AND THE UPPER EAST REGIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL (REGSEC) TO PROVIDE ESCORTS FOR VEHICLES ENTERING AND LEAVING THE BAWKU TOWNSHIP
We write to you in exercise of our rights as law abiding citizens of Ghana and with reference to your mandate to uphold and protect the lives and property of citizens and maintain law and order in the Upper East Region.
Whiles we appreciate the efforts the Police, the Military and the REGSEC are putting in place to maintain law and order amidst the various challenges, we wish to demand that you make good your legal and moral obligation to ensure the safety and security of all citizens travelling into and out of Bawku from all locations and all walks of life.
Between November 2021 to July 2023, the Bawku Municipality has recorded over 30 ambush attacks and road blockades on private and commercial vehicles leading to the loss of lives. Details in appendix 1 attached.
Despite these, the Upper East REGSEC has not seen the need to provide a planned scheduled SECURITY ESCORT in and out of Bawku-Pulimakom, Bawku-Bolga and Nalerigu-Gambaga-Bawku route, an in-action that has sadly emboldened criminals to continue to attack and kill innocent citizens and state security officials.
In a sharp contrast however, when three cases of armed robbery/attacks on travelers were recorded in January 2023 along the Bolgatanga – Tamale Highway, the North East REGSEC moved swiftly to collaborate with their Upper East Regional counterparts to provide security on vehicles on the road to avert similar attacks. Suffice it to note, no lives were lost as compared to the uncountable deaths on the Bawku incidence!
The consistent neglect by the Upper East Regional Security Council to provide escorts for travelers entering into and from the Bawku Township is sadly one of the reasons why the recent conflict has protracted since November 2021 as ambush killing re-escalate the conflict.
As a country of rule of law, it is unacceptable for citizens to live in fear and for how long can we sit in silence to witness these inactions from our leaders. Providing security escorts to Bawku and its environs is not only a smart intelligence move and a moral thing to do but a strong measure to reduce gun violence and safeguard Ghana’s borders from potential terrorist attacks and inflow of small arms and light weapons. Every life matters because it could be you or me!
We the undersigned therefore respectfully demand that the Ministry of Interior, the Upper East REGSEC and the Peace Council immediately within the space of a week upon receipt of this petition by Monday, 31st July 2023 provide a well-planned escort schedule with security visibility at vantage points on all routes for all citizen entering and leaving the Bawku areas from North East, Bolgatanga, Burkina Faso and Togo. OR we will explore other legal and lawful means to drum in our request. Also find attached the list of some of the fatal attacks on the respective routes in appendix 1.We respectfully submit for your consideration and action.
