Mahama Moves to Address Bawku Unrest with Key Security Appointments this Week

Bawku, Ghana - 14 Jan, 2025 - Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama is set to announce key security appointments by the end of the week, in a bid to address the ongoing conflict in Bawku and surrounding areas.

This move follows the recent nomination of ministers-designate for Finance, Energy, and Justice.

During a visit to Bawku, President Mahama announced plans to appoint key officials by the end of the week and assured the public that these appointments would prioritize the Bawku conflict, working towards a sustainable peace.

He pledged to charge the new appointees with making Bawku a top priority, alongside addressing internal and external threats to national security.

The anticipated appointments include the Minister for Defence, Minister for Interior, National Security Coordinator, National Security Advisor, and BNI Director. These positions are crucial in addressing the complex security situation in Bawku and promoting harmony in the region.

“And so within this week, we’ll do the appointments of the Minister for Defence, the Minister for Interior, the National Security co-ordinator, the national security advisor, the BNI director; and when these appointments are made I am going to charge them to make Bawku one of their major priorities,'' he stated.

During his address at the Zug-raan Palace after a closed-door meeting with Bawku Naba Asigri ABUGRAGO Azoka II on Tuesday, President Mahama urged the community leaders from the Kusaaug traditional area to exercise restraint and cooperate with the government to achieve lasting peace and development.

He emphasized the importance of unity and collective effort in addressing the root causes of the conflict.

The President expressed confidence in the security services, thanking them for maintaining peace during the recent elections. He noted that Ghana's reputation as a leading democracy in Africa has been cemented, but warned that vigilance is still necessary to address ongoing challenges.

“This is a peace-building mission, and I shall also visit NALERIGU to share the same message, he stated.

“This last election has cemented our reputation as the leading democracy in Africa and a good part of the thanks goes to you the security services who have maintained peace.

“We still have threats to our peace that we must continue to look at internally and externally. Internally to do with chieftaincy disputes and some incidents of armed robbery and things like that. Externally to do with the threats on our northern borders and so we cannot let our vigilance down”, he added.

Source: Florence Kyei/ Lead News Online