For the umpteenth time, Bawku, like an active volcano, erupted over the weekend, throwing the lives of innocent persons in danger.

It is beyond imagination the extent to which the lives of the vulnerable class will be affected by the avoidable strife which has now become endemic in this part of the country.

Considering the various interventions applied in the flashpoint and their uselessness, we are constrained to conclude that the solutions to the challenges are far from being achieved. We may have to consider an entirely new module towards tackling the Bawku enigma once and for all. But can we?

What has aggravated the already unfavourable situation is politics; we are referring to the politics of divide and rule which is anything but conducive towards the attainment of lasting peace in an area whose volatility is household knowledge.

We can recall with a sense of remorse occasions when the current political leadership of the country engaged in vicious meetings with sections of this troubled town when it was in opposition.

Out of their quest for power they assured one faction of special favours and so when they came to power, the now emboldened part of the divided town finds itself in a special position, playing outside the rules.

Politics of deceit would not help anybody, but rather, leave our dear country fragmented and this is not in our interest.

We must work towards building a virile country and avoid lies and divisive approaches to the all-important vocation of governance.

We sympathise with government as it seeks to restore normalcy in Bawku, but regret to inform the leadership that the current approaches, given the polarized nature of the place, can not achieve peace in the long term. Not even inviting the critical stakeholders can alter the status quo, we dare tell government.

We wish to refer to the Upper East Regional Minister, Mark Wayongo’s worry that certain proposals submitted to government when this year’s rounds of skirmishes commenced have not received any attention from Accra.

When a minister expresses such genuine concerns we feel disappointed and tempted to think there is a sort of lip-service on the part of the authorities towards seeking lasting solution to the challenges posed by the strife in Bawku.

We appear to be running all over the place only when the guns start smoking, as we are doing now.

Much as we do not know the contents of the proposals submitted to government, we can bet they cannot restore permanent order in Bawku.

The solution goes beyond political rhetoric.

The caliber of firearms being used by mostly the youth in the town is a source of worry to security analysts.

Being a border town, Bawku is a destination for weapons from nearby countries which have just come out of war situations.

Besides, the youth of the town, conscious of the volatility of their locations, include weapons in their shopping lists.

Retrieving such illegal weapons appears not to be a priority perhaps because of the unfeasibility of such a venture.

Is there no way we can retrieve all weapons in the Bawku township? Can a troop surge do the magic of controlling skirmishes? Does government have the political will to stamp its authority?

Peace can only return to Bawku if selfish politicians who stand to gain from the polarized situation consider as important, the interest of the town above their parochial desires.

By the way, what has happened to the young man arrested for being part of the group undergoing weapon handling lessons in Bawku?

Is he being shielded through an endless investigation? Hm!


Credit: Daily Guide/Ghana