A group of concerned natives from Bawku, situated in the Upper East region, has submitted a petition to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Upper East Regional Security Council (REGSEC).

The petition urges these authorities to arrange escorts for vehicles entering and leaving the Bawku township.

The primary objective behind this request, as perceived by the concerned natives, is to prevent ambush attacks and ensure the safety of all citizens traveling to and from Bawku, regardless of their destination.

In a statement dated July 24, 2023, the group, which also copied the message to various institutions, expressed their dismay at the Upper East Regional Security Council's consistent negligence in providing escorts for travelers in the area.

They believe this neglect has contributed to the prolonged conflict since November 2021, as ambush killings have intensified the situation.

The statement was signed by Martin Azare and Amadu Mogtar.

The conflict in Bawku stems from a chieftaincy dispute and has garnered significant media attention. Tragically, the unrest has resulted in numerous fatalities and substantial property damage.

The concerned natives argue that living in fear is unacceptable in a country governed by the rule of law. They emphasize the urgency of addressing this issue and question how much longer they must endure in silence while their leaders fail to act.

The group asserts that providing security escorts to Bawku and its surrounding areas is not only a strategic intelligence move but also a morally responsible action.

It is a critical step towards curbing gun violence and safeguarding Ghana's borders from potential terrorist attacks and the influx of small arms and light weapons.

“Providing security escorts to Bawku and its environs is not only a smart intelligence move and a moral thing to do but a strong measure to reduce gun violence and safeguard Ghana’s borders from potential terrorist attacks and inflow of small arms and light weapons,” they added.

Attached below is a copy of the Petition

PETITION TO THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE AND THE UPPER EAST REGIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL (REGSEC) TO PROVIDE ESCORTS FOR VEHICLES ENTERING AND LEAVING THE BAWKU TOWNSHIP

We write to you in exercise of our rights as law abiding citizens of Ghana and with reference to your mandate to uphold and protect the lives and property of citizens and maintain law and order in the Upper East Region.

Whiles we appreciate the efforts the Police, the Military and the REGSEC are putting in place to maintain law and order amidst the various challenges, we wish to demand that you make good your legal and moral obligation to ensure the safety and security of all citizens travelling into and out of Bawku from all locations and all walks of life.

Between November 2021 to July 2023, the Bawku Municipality has recorded over 30 ambush attacks and road blockades on private and commercial vehicles leading to the loss of lives. Details in appendix 1 attached.

Despite these, the Upper East REGSEC has not seen the need to provide a planned scheduled SECURITY ESCORT in and out of Bawku-Pulimakom, Bawku-Bolga and Nalerigu-Gambaga-Bawku route, an in-action that has sadly emboldened criminals to continue to attack and kill innocent citizens and state security officials.

In a sharp contrast however, when three cases of armed robbery/attacks on travelers were recorded in January 2023 along the Bolgatanga - Tamale Highway, the North East REGSEC moved swiftly to collaborate with their Upper East Regional counterparts to provide security on vehicles on the road to avert similar attacks. Suffice it to note, no lives were lost as compared to the uncountable deaths on the Bawku incidence!

The consistent neglect by the Upper East Regional Security Council to provide escorts for travelers entering into and from the Bawku Township is sadly one of the reasons why the recent conflict has protracted since November 2021 as ambush killing re-escalate the conflict.

As a country of rule of law, it is unacceptable for citizens to live in fear and for how long can we sit in silence to witness these inactions from our leaders. Providing security escorts to Bawku and its environs is not only a smart intelligence move and a moral thing to do but a strong measure to reduce gun violence and safeguard Ghana’s borders from potential terrorist attacks and inflow of small arms and light weapons. Every life matters because it could be you or me!

We the undersigned therefore respectfully demand that the Ministry of Interior, the Upper East REGSEC and the Peace Council immediately within the space of a week upon receipt of this petition by Monday, 31st July 2023 provide a well-planned escort schedule with security visibility at vantage points on all routes for all citizen entering and leaving the Bawku areas from North East, Bolgatanga, Burkina Faso and Togo. OR we will explore other legal and lawful means to drum in our request. Also find attached the list of some of the fatal attacks on the respective routes in appendix 1.