The former Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Joseph Ade Coker, has expressed strong support for the Inspector-General of Police’s (IGP) plan to recruit young people from Bawku into the police force.
He described the initiative as a positive step towards fostering unity and achieving lasting peace in the conflict-affected area.
Appearing on Channel One TV, Ade Coker highlighted the importance of creating job opportunities in Bawku, where rising youth unemployment and a decline in agriculture have contributed to social unrest.
“Most of the youth in Bawku are unemployed. The birth rate is very high, and there aren’t enough jobs to match that. This area, which was once a farming community, has suffered from drought, causing a neglect in agriculture,” he explained.
His remarks followed IGP Christian Tetteh Yohuno’s visit to Bawku on April 11, during which the police chief announced that local youth would be prioritized in future police recruitment efforts, provided they disarm and pledge to maintain peace.
The IGP outlined plans to establish a recruitment team in Bawku to facilitate this initiative, aimed at enhancing regional stability.
While the IGP’s proposal has sparked discussions, with some critics suggesting it oversimplifies the region’s complex ethnic and political dynamics, Ade Coker believes the initiative could be a catalyst for reconciliation.
“I think the IGP’s message is to unite the two factions. If Kusasis and Mamprusis work together in the police force, they’ll understand each other and learn why collaboration is essential,” he said.
Ade Coker also suggested that national service programs could further promote social unity and help bridge long-standing divisions.