Akufo-Addo to Bawku Naba: Support peace efforts in Upper East region
The President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has appealed to the Bawku Naba, Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, to do all he can to support efforts of government aimed at bringing lasting peace to the Bawku Traditional Area in the Upper East Region.
The President made the call when he addressed the Bawku Naba and his delegation at the Jubilee House on Tuesday (25 January).
“Bawku Naba, you know that ever since I took the oath of office and became President, my major concern has been to enforce the oath that I took to uphold the constitution and the laws of Ghana.
“The laws of Ghana include the decisions of the Supreme Court of our country and I know fully well, the nature of the decision the Supreme Court took over the Bawku chieftaincy conflict which named you as the Bawku Naba,” Akufo-Addo said.
“Ever since I became President, I have not made any secret of the fact that for me, he is the Bawku Naba. So with this background, I am hoping that the Bawku Naba will also find a way to cooperate with government to bring peace to the area,” Akufo-Addo added.
Security expenditure
President Akufo-Addo indicated that the state is spending so much money to maintain the peace of the Bawku area, which monies according to the President, could be used to bring the much needed development to the Bawku Traditional Area.
“The money we spend on security in Bawku, those monies could be used to develop the place,” Akufo-Addo noted.
The President further indicated that he had invited the Bawku Naba to come to the Jubilee House so that together, they could all work at bringing peace and calm to Bawku in the Upper East Region.
Recent curfew
Recent violence and killings in the Bawku Municipality, has caused government, through the Ministry of Interior, to imposed a curfew in Bawku and its environs.
The imposition followed advice from the Upper East Regional Security Council (RESSEC) after the Bawku area experienced threats of insecurity.
REGSEC statement
In a statement dated 10 January 2022, the Upper East Regional Security Council (REGSEC) as part of security measures in Bawku, banned pillion riding involving men in the Municipality.
The new directive bars men from carrying fellow men on the same motorcycle in the conflict zone. Women, per the release issued, were however allowed to carry other women only on the same motorcycle.
The REGSEC added that the new directive was given after a critical examination of the security situation in Bawku.
The Security Council recommended an increased presence of the security agencies in the township, especially, in suburbs such as around the GOIL and Total Filling Station areas.
