By Ghana Eye Report
A security analyst with the African Center for Security and Intelligence Studies (ACSIS) is urging the Ghanaian government to apply an African traditional conflict resolution mechanism to bring the Bawku conflict to an end.
According to Mr. Paul Boateng, who is the Executive Director for ACSIS, the adoption of traditional conflict resolution approach, which involve the use of arbitration, mediation, and conciliation, is more effective than the conventional war tactics approach.
He warned the conflict will not come to an end if the government does not vary the approach that has been used in the past but has failed to resolve the conflict.
“We cannot continue to use strategies through the lenses of the traditional concept of security, which largely involves conventional war tactics, in resolving the Bawku conflict. This approach has never worked for us and it’s not going to work,” said Boateng to the Ghana Eye Report.
The security analyst emphasized that the Bawku conflict can be resolved since there is a history to the incident from 1937.
“The truth is there, and history is on our side. Ghana must deploy the African traditional conflict resolution mechanism, and with that approach, we will make headway,” he added.
The ACSIS Executive Director explained that the Dagbon conflict was resolved because of the adoption of the traditional African conflict resolution strategy.
He warned the Bawku conflict would escalate and may lead to possible assassinations of some important personalities from the area starting from May 2025 if proactive measures are not adopted to mitigate the current tensions.
In order to resolve the conflict, Mr. Boateng suggested a three-pronged approach, including having ‘POLITICAL WILL’ to resolve the conflict on the part of the government, varying the approach by strengthening intelligence gathering, adopting the African traditional conflict resolution approach, and having the government look for neutrals to be appointed as mediators and stop politicising the conflict with NPP and NDC.
“The two factions in the Bawku conflict can resolve the issue if the government invites mediators who are neutral and can be trusted by both sides.
“If you invite people who are aligned or have an interest in the conflict, we will never see the end of this conflict,” Mr. Boateng further stated.
Bawku, a town in the Upper East region of Ghana, is predominantly inhabited by the Kusasis and the Mamprusis. The conflict between these groups has its roots in historical tensions, competition over resources, and political conflicts.
The Bawku conflict is a long-standing conflict involving a struggle for traditional leadership between the two main ethnic groups.
The tension in the township escalated further on Thursday, April 10, after unidentified youth vandalized and set fire to the residence of Bawku Central Member of Parliament (MP) and Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga.
The incident occurred amid ongoing unrest linked to Bawku’s long-standing chieftaincy dispute.
The latest act of violence follows Wednesday’s deadly clash between youth groups and law enforcement, which left one person dead, with several others injured. Enditem
Source: Ghana Eye Report
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