Security analyst Andrews Asiedu Tetteh has advised Ghana’s government to outsource security management in the Bawku conflict zone to foreign security forces.
He claims that the country’s security forces have failed to execute and manage the crisis effectively.
Speaking on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, he stated that the crisis in Bawku is an unfortunate incident, and that as a country that relies on foreign aid, trade, and other bilateral activities, we can also outsource Bawku’s security.
He told host Kwabena Agyapong that the resources and investment made into dealing with the crisis have been a lot, and if care is not taken, some evildoers, including terrorists, will take advantage of the situation.
‘’I have an opinion on how to deal with the crisis. When it comes to our economic issues, we have always gone to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Even with agriculture, we depend on foreign aid and support, and so if we have realised we cannot deal with the Bawku crisis, we should outsource the solutions. We cannot deal with the crisis. When we faced economic challenges, we went to the IMF. We have been there seventeen times. So if we cannot deal with the Bawku crisis, we have to outsource it. Our gold mines are being managed by foreigners, and so if we cannot deal with the Bawku crisis, why can’t we allow the foreigners to take over? Why should we allow people to continue to die when we can outsource it?”
When asked why we have been unable to address the crisis, he identified conflict entrepreneurs who profit from these conflicts and do not want them to end due to the trade in illegal guns and other offensive weapons.
”Some people who are classified as conflict entrepreneurs profit from conflicts. Someone in Accra may trade with people in Bawku by giving them three guns in exchange for ten cows, and such a person will use any means necessary to prolong the conflict. The conflict also allows government officials to inflate costs. So, if three soldiers are to be fed, it will be increased to ten or twenty-five. So the budget for the Bawku conflict enabled people to steal from our resources. As a result, such people will not support the resolution of the conflict.”
He went on to say that the conflict had progressed beyond chieftaincy and land disputes to a revenge conflict.
”The dynamics of the Bawku conflict are multifaceted, including economic, revenge, corruption, political, and so on. “You’ll need a multifaceted approach to deal with it,” he said.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
