Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, has reaffirmed President John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to resolving the ongoing conflict in Bawku through a combination of security enforcement and traditional mediation.

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Speaking during a visit to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, on Friday, February 14, Dr. Boamah outlined the government's strategy for tackling the crisis.

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"President John Dramani Mahama is committed to bringing lasting peace to Bawku. He is intensifying a two-track (security and traditional) solution," he stated.

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The Defence Minister assured that efforts to stabilize the region remain a top priority, emphasizing that both military interventions and engagements with traditional leaders will play a key role.

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"As promised earlier this week, we remain committed to restoring sustainable peace in Bawku," he added.

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Dr. Boamah, alongside Interior Minister Muntaka Mubarak and the Chief of the Defence Staff, met with the Asantehene to discuss possible solutions to the crisis. The Asantehene, who has been actively involved in mediation efforts, was recognized for his leadership in seeking a peaceful resolution.

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The visit came amid heightened tensions in Bawku, where renewed clashes have led to loss of lives and growing insecurity. One of the most tragic incidents occurred recently when a five-month-old baby girl was brutally killed by armed assailants. The child was reportedly snatched from her mother, who had been ambushed and assaulted, before being thrown to the ground.

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This shocking act of violence adds to the rising death toll from the conflict, which has claimed 55 lives since October 2024, particularly along the Bolgatanga-Tamale highway. Despite increased security presence, attacks continue to instill fear among residents and travelers.

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The chieftaincy dispute in Bawku, which has simmered for decades, remains at the core of the unrest. The long-standing rivalry between the Mamprusi and Kusasi ethnic groups over control of the Bawku Traditional Area has fueled tensions, with both sides holding historical and political claims to leadership.

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