Former member of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, Collins Owusu Amankwah, has called on the government to maintain a neutral stance in addressing the ongoing Bawku conflict.
Speaking on Joy News’ The Pulse show , Mr Amankwah emphasised the need for a fair and impartial approach to resolving the crisis, which has affected the region for years.
“Where the conflict has gotten to, we must be upfront and committed to uncovering the hidden truths surrounding this issue,” he said, stressing that transparency is key in finding a lasting solution.
He warned that any form of bias from the government could further escalate the conflict and undermine efforts at peace.
“I personally expect the government to stay neutral and avoid any form of bias towards any of the factions involved because we are all Ghanaians,” Mr Amankwah added.
The former MP also took aim at the National Democratic Congress (NDC), accusing the party of being reckless and uninformed in their handling of the Bawku issue during the election campaign period.
“The NDC must humbly accept that they were reckless, uninformed, and irresponsible when it came to matters concerning Bawku during the campaign period,” he said. “Even the statement made by President John Dramani Mahama, in my view, was needless and unwarranted.”
Mr Amankwah called for a shift in focus, urging political leaders to put aside ego and party interests in favour of prioritising the well-being of the people of Bawku and the nation as a whole.
“We must be fair and sincere to the good people of Bawku, and to the good people of this country. This conflict has gone on for far too long—there is no room for ego-massaging anymore,” he said.
He expressed strong support for the mediation efforts led by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and encouraged all factions to fully cooperate with the process.
“That is why I strongly support the Otumfuo’s mediation process. It is a wise and commendable step. The committee needs full and sincere cooperation from both factions in order to find a lasting resolution to the Bawku conflict,” he concluded.