'Where are these weapons coming from?' – Minority demands action as sophisticated arms flood Bawku

The Ranking Member of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee is concerned about the conflict in Bawku. He calls it a humanitarian and national security emergency.

Rev. John Ntim Fordjour spoke on Joy News’ PM Express on Monday. He warned that sophisticated weapons are escalating the conflict dangerously. Immediate action is needed to prevent further escalation.

“The death toll is rising,” he said. “People are living in fear. Children can’t go to school. Essential services are halting as teachers, doctors, and nurses refuse postings to Bawku. It’s a full-blown humanitarian crisis.”

He emphasized the need for calm and extended condolences to bereaved families. He also expressed sympathy for the injured and those who lost property. “Bawku deserves peace,” he stated, urging all factions to exercise restraint.

The Bawku conflict has deep ethnic roots, but Rev. Ntim Fordjour noted alarming developments. Attacks now involve civilians confronting security forces, which is dangerous.

“If clashes occur between security services and citizens, we face dark times,” he warned.

He highlighted the troubling scale of weaponry used in the conflict zone. “The weapons available to our people are very concerning,” he said.

“This situation emboldens factions to confront police or military directly.” He urged the government to take urgent steps to stop the flow of these weapons.

Rev. Fordjour called for a coordinated crackdown on weapon sources. “This isn’t just about machetes or homemade rifles anymore,” he explained.

“We’re seeing high-grade military-style arms in domestic conflicts.” Such weaponry complicates peacekeeping efforts for security forces on the ground.

When asked what actions the government should take, he stressed political unity and a nonpartisan approach.

“Government must depoliticize this conflict,” he insisted. Political actors should avoid using this situation for gain; it’s not time for point scoring.

He criticized recent political rhetoric surrounding the conflict as dangerous and inflammatory. “We need to rise above it,” he urged.

Rev. Fordjour supported the Otumfuo-led mediation process as a positive step toward addressing traditional issues in Bawku's conflict.

However, he insisted that disarming factions and cutting off access to weapons must happen first for any peace initiative to succeed.

“We support the government in this national effort,” he said firmly. “But they must act decisively.”

“The arms used in Bawku are not typical of regular crime; this is organized and dangerous.” Immediate action is essential, according to Rev. Fordjour.