Security analyst Andrews Asiedu Tetteh has asserted that the Bawku crisis has escalated beyond its original roots of land ownership and paramountcy disputes.
He claims the conflict has entered a “revenge phase,” where opposing sides are now driven by retaliatory violence.
Mr Tetteh warned that the ongoing instability provides fertile ground for terrorist groups to capitalize on the chaos and launch attacks within Ghana.
The Bawku conflict centers on the Bawku Skin, a paramount chieftaincy title.
The dispute is primarily characterised by two competing claims with the Kusasi claiming indigenous status and rights to the Skin as the original inhabitants of the area.
The Mamprusi assert authority based on a centralized chieftaincy system established during the pre-colonial and colonial eras.
Speaking on Nyankonton Mu Nsem via Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, the analyst expressed frustration over the inability of successive governments to resolve the conflict permanently. He highlighted a growing crisis within the security services, noting that many police officers would rather resign than be deployed to the volatile region.
Andrews Asiedu Tetteh argued that the government has failed to show a genuine commitment to protecting the lives of officers stationed in Bawku.
“If we have police officers threatening to resign rather than be deployed to Bawku, then they clearly do not feel safe. They have realized that their lives are in danger and that the danger will not end today. It also shows that the government has no interest in protecting them. That is why it is imperative for the government to be proactive and make serious changes. At this point, we need competent men with operational backgrounds to take over the Interior Ministry.”
The analyst explicitly called for the removal of the current Interior Minister, Muntaka Mohammed, citing a lack of competence in handling complex security issues. While acknowledging the Minister’s general capabilities, Tetteh argued he is not the right fit for this specific crisis. He proposed retired police officer Kofi Boakye as the most viable candidate for the role.
“If you are granted an opportunity to serve and you are not delivering, you have to be removed. We have to remove the Interior Minister. The Bawku crisis has gotten to a point where we need an operations approach. We need operational men on the field, and Kofi Boakye is the best to serve as Interior Minister. Should we fail to do this, teachers, doctors, nurses, bankers, and others will seek transfers because they do not want to die.”
Andeews Asiedu Tetteh stressed that while mediation is crucial, the current state of the conflict requires a more tactical, combat-oriented approach to restore order.
“We need ground operations to work. Mediation is crucial, but the conflict has moved beyond chieftaincy and is at a revenge stage. This is why we need to take action before terrorist groups take advantage of the conflict. We have to change the Minister and bring in someone with an operations background who has the ability to deploy a combat approach so we can curtail what is happening.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
