Former Minister of Defense Dominic Nitiwul has shared his reflections on the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government’s efforts to address the protracted conflict in Bawku during its tenure. Speaking in an interview with Joy News, Nitiwul expressed a mixture of pride in the strides made to stabilize the region and regret for the administration’s inability to secure lasting peace.
“To say that we did not do anything is wrong. We did whatever we needed to do to keep peace in Bawku, but we wanted to achieve total peace, and that eluded us. So that would be the regret that I will say we have,” Nitiwul stated.
The conflict in Bawku, involving the Kusasi and Mamprusi ethnic groups, has deep historical and chieftaincy roots. Over decades, the region has been plagued by recurring violence, which has claimed numerous lives, displaced families, and hindered development. Nitiwul noted that addressing the conflict was a top priority for the NPP government, but its complexities posed significant challenges to achieving a permanent resolution.
Nitiwul detailed some of the measures implemented by the government to manage the situation. These included the deployment of security forces to maintain law and order, fostering dialogue among stakeholders, and collaborating with traditional and community leaders. These efforts brought periods of temporary stability, but they fell short of addressing the deeper, underlying issues fueling the conflict.
“The government’s approach wasn’t just about security; it was also about building trust and encouraging dialogue,” Nitiwul said. He highlighted the importance of engaging all stakeholders, including political leaders, traditional authorities, and community representatives, in creating a framework for peace. Despite these efforts, achieving total peace proved elusive.
The former minister acknowledged the significance of Bawku on the government’s agenda, underscoring the personal interest of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in resolving the conflict. Nitiwul pointed to the former president’s final State of the Nation Address, in which Akufo-Addo expressed his regret that lasting peace in Bawku remained unachieved during his administration.
“And for the [former] president to find space and mention that in his last State of the Nation Address, that he regrets that we couldn’t find total peace in Bawku, that alone tells how he views the issue of Bawku and what he wants to leave, or the message he wants to leave for the incoming president to look at Bawku critically. The government should engender trust in the people. That’s the first thing the government needs to do,” Nitiwul emphasized.
The human cost of the Bawku conflict has been significant. In the latest wave of clashes, 41 lives were lost, adding to the region’s already long history of violence and suffering. Beyond the fatalities, the conflict has created an atmosphere of fear and insecurity, disrupting livelihoods and impeding socio-economic progress.
Nitiwul called for sustained efforts to foster trust among the people of Bawku as a foundational step toward lasting peace. He emphasized that peacebuilding in the region requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses both the immediate security concerns and the long-standing grievances at the root of the conflict.
The former minister also stressed the importance of continuity in government efforts to address the Bawku crisis. He urged the incoming administration to prioritize the issue, build on the work already done, and maintain a focus on dialogue and collaboration. According to Nitiwul, resolving the conflict is not just a matter of government policy but also a moral obligation to the people of Bawku and Ghana as a whole.
The NPP government’s efforts to address the conflict were not without their successes. The deployment of security forces helped to de-escalate tensions during critical periods, and initiatives to promote dialogue laid the groundwork for future peacebuilding efforts. However, Nitiwul admitted that these measures were not enough to break the cycle of violence and mistrust.
For peace to be sustainable, Nitiwul argued, it is essential to address the historical grievances that fuel the conflict. This includes resolving disputes over chieftaincy and land ownership, which have been at the heart of the Bawku crisis for generations. He called for a comprehensive and inclusive approach that brings all parties to the table and ensures that their voices are heard and their concerns addressed.
Nitiwul’s reflections highlight the challenges of governance in a diverse and complex society like Ghana. The Bawku conflict serves as a reminder of the need for patience, perseverance, and a deep understanding of the issues at hand when dealing with deeply rooted conflicts.
As Ghana transitions to a new administration, the lessons learned from the NPP government’s efforts in Bawku will be invaluable. The importance of trust-building, dialogue, and collaboration cannot be overstated, and these principles should guide future efforts to achieve lasting peace in the region.
The former minister’s candid assessment of the government’s achievements and shortcomings underscores the difficulty of addressing conflicts with deep historical and cultural roots. While the NPP government may not have achieved total peace in Bawku, its efforts to stabilize the region and lay the groundwork for future peacebuilding initiatives are commendable.
Moving forward, the challenge for the incoming administration will be to build on these efforts, address the root causes of the conflict, and work toward a resolution that is inclusive, sustainable, and just. The people of Bawku deserve no less, and the responsibility to deliver peace rests on the shoulders of all Ghanaians.
Nitiwul’s reflections serve as a call to action for all stakeholders to recommit themselves to the pursuit of peace in Bawku. The path to lasting peace may be long and difficult, but it is a journey that must be undertaken for the sake of the region’s future and the well-being of its people.
