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Members of Parliament representing the six constituencies in the Upper East Region, along with opinion leaders and residents of Kusaug residing in Accra, have issued a strongly worded statement condemning the recent military brutality in Bawku. The group also called for immediate government intervention to restore calm and deliver justice to victims.
Addressing a press conference in Accra, the MPs and community leaders described the ongoing ethnic conflict in the area as one rooted in what they termed the “naïve, void, illegal, and schemed installation” of a chieftaincy figure who, in their view, is not the legitimate ruler of Bawku
“We state without provocation that Bawku has one, and only one legitimate chief, in the person of Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, since April 1984,” they emphasized.
The caucus lamented that while the Ghana Armed Forces had been deployed to the region to preserve life and property, the events of Sunday, July 13, 2025, rather brought pain and devastation. According to them, military personnel went on a rampage in Bawku, allegedly killing six civilians, injuring many others, and looting shops and homes.
“We deeply regret the unfortunate attack on a military vehicle and wish the injured soldiers a speedy recovery. However, we strongly condemn the vicious and tasteless response of the military which followed,” the statement said.
They accused the military of responding disproportionately to threats, often resulting in the deaths of innocent civilians and the destruction of property.
“Just last week in Garu-Gantanga, lives were lost and property worth tens of thousands of cedis was destroyed. In a needless and spiteful move, soldiers pulled down and burnt the statue of our overlord, Naba Abugrago Azoka II. What threat did a statue pose? What purpose did its destruction serve?” they questioned.
The leaders issued a list of demands directed at the Government of Ghana and the Ghana Armed Forces, including:
An unqualified apology from the Ghana Armed Forces to the people of Bawku for the events of July 13, a full investigation into the actions of the soldiers involved and prosecution where necessary, an immediate overhaul of the military and security apparatus in Bawku, deployment of impartial and professionally vetted security personnel to the area in future, improved intelligence gathering to address security threats without indiscriminate violence and rebuilding of the destroyed statue of their overlord and payment of fair compensation to affected families and property owners.
“We urge the government to act swiftly on these demands to restore the once peaceful coexistence in our land,” the MPs and leaders said.
While acknowledging the justified anger among the youth, the group called for calm and restraint.
“We feel the pain and share in the sorrow of our people. But we urge you — especially the youth — to remain calm and hopeful. We will carry your voices to those who matter.”
They also appealed to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to expedite his mediation efforts, expressing hope that his pronouncements would help ease the growing tension and restore peace.
Source:channel247online.com/Masopeh Jeremiah
Yaw Boagyan
Rafiq Adam
