By Rebecca Ekpe
Besides reviewing the current Methodology for Conflict resolution, Peace Building Experts are proposing a step up in Stakeholder and Community Engagements with the Youth as an antidote to fast-track the peace processes in Bawku.
Conflict Resolution Experts suggest that Community Engagements serve as a critical communication platform that allows for aggrieving parties to express and also compels the Security to promptly address concerns of the feuding factions.
Rebecca Ekpe spoke to a Senior Researcher at the West African Network for Peace Building, WANEP, Dr. Festus Aubyn who explained that ‘’in conflict situations, no communication can be misconstrued, which further deepens the cracks of mistrust, which is fundamental to the conflict’’.
Again, in conflict situations, he reiterated, ‘’any action you take without communicating it to the parties can be misjudged or can be perceived as supporting the other side. The police are supposed to be impartial in their execution of its activities in Bawku.
IGP Directives:
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno has banned the movement of police officers and their families to Bawku and its environs. He further instructed officers already deployed to the area to wear the necessary protective gear and ensure they are escorted by armoured vehicles for their safety.
This directive followed the increasing threats faced by law enforcement in the area after plain clothes police officers travelling on a motorbike were killed at Binduri. The killing occurred shortly after the IGP visited Bawku and called for calm over reports that some police officers had killed a youth leader in the area.
The way Forward:
Clearly, the Bawku situation is a protracted one over traditional ownership, which records indicate has resulted in more than 300 deaths.
Experts are calling it a national security threat and have called on President John Mahama not to leave any stone unturned in finding lasting peace in Bawku.
Office of the Asantehene has announced resumption of mediation in Bawku from the 28th of this Month by Otumfuo himself, a move that has been seen by Conflict Experts as welcome news but caution that the process should be strictly ADR, for the desired results.
Background:
What is happening in Bawku is an escalation of the existing conflicts mainly caused by a growing mistrust between the police and the population, especially the Kusasi side. The perceived closeness of the police to the Mamprusi through the escorts and protection they provide is what led to the current escalation leading to the death of the youth leader and the accompanying violence. According to WANEP Senior Researcher, Dr. Aubyn ‘’it shows that the police/security agencies have not done well in communicating the rationale of their actions (escorting people to the market) to the other side’’.
‘’They have also failed to get the parties to agree on access to the markets. Their heavy handedness of the situation triggered the current violence’’, Dr. Aubyn stated.
Recommendations:
Dr. Aubyn gave a number of recommendations that, in his view, can help to stem the tide in Bawku.
‘’So, moving forward, the police need to dialogue with the people and traditional leaders of both parties and have them agree on the issues both sides have with the access to the markets’’.
He said they should also, ‘’undertake deliberate measures to enhance the trust and confidence the population have in them’’.
The Regional Coordinator, Research and Capacity Building, for the West African Network for Peace Building, WANEP, Dr. Festus Aubyn condemned the comment on recruitment during the IGP’s visit saying it is very misplaced, and a knee jerk reaction to the situation.’’
‘’It’s a lazy approach to resolving the issue. The situation is more complex than just recruiting people into the service’’.
He stressed that, ‘’You can recruit people, but the problem will still be there so it’s not a solution at all’’.
Dr. Aubyn believes that the police with support from the Nation Peace Council, respected personalities of both sides and the Otumfuo’s Committee, the situation in Bawku can be addressed in a ‘’to get a win, win solution that satisfies both parties, while the main issue of Bawku and mediation continues’’.