April 15, 2025
To: His Excellency,
President of the United Nations Security Council
United Nations Headquarters
New York, NY, USA
Subject: Urgent Appeal for Intervention in the Ongoing Conflict in Bawku, Ghana
Dear Your Excellency,
I write to you as a concerned Ghanaian-born American citizen and a graduate student at the University of Massachusetts, United States of America, where I am pursuing a degree in Information Technology with a concentration in Cybersecurity.
It is with a heavy heart and a deep sense of urgency that I bring to your attention the violent conflict currently escalating in Bawku, a border town in Ghana’s Upper East Region, particularly affecting the community of Pusiga.
Bawku is home to approximately 125,000 people, the majority of whom are vulnerable women and children living under conditions of poverty and underdevelopment.
Just yesterday, a close friend of mine — whom I helped join the Ghana Police Service two years ago — contacted me to share firsthand accounts of the situation. Having known him for over a decade, I trust his integrity and judgment.
He described the conflict as warlike in its scale and intensity, revealing that over the past three weeks, deadly clashes between two factions have become frequent, with weapons as advanced and lethal as those used by the Ghanaian security forces.
He narrowly escaped death when a bullet missed him by inches. Sadly, three of his colleagues were struck — two died instantly, while the third had to be airlifted to Accra for urgent medical care.
According to reliable sources, more than 300 lives have been lost so far. The weapons involved suggest that the conflict has escalated far beyond localized skirmishes, posing a serious threat to the stability of the region. Despite the gravity of this crisis, the government’s response has been slow and, at times, seemingly influenced by political considerations rather than an urgent desire to restore peace.
I know Bawku and its people well. Many families survive on less than $5 a day, and countless children are either out of school or living under the constant threat of violence. This region cannot endure the loss of yet another generation to war and instability.
Your Excellency, I humbly appeal for your urgent intervention. I urge you to use your esteemed office to initiate dialogue with the government of Ghana, especially His Excellency President John Mahama, whose leadership could play a pivotal role in mediating and calming tensions. I also call upon the Security Council to bring global attention to the need for humanitarian assistance in this region.
I have been informed this morning, April 15, 2025, that the Asantehene, His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, is scheduled to mediate between the warring factions — a promising step toward peace. However, international support and pressure are critical to ensure a lasting resolution and the immediate cessation of hostilities.
The killings must stop. I submit this appeal in good faith, with the hope that swift and decisive action from your office can help save lives and restore peace in Bawku.
With deep respect and hope,
Victor Hayibor
Graduate Student, University of Massachusetts
Naturalized U.S. Citizen
Ghanaian by Birth