The Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Stephen Asamoah Boateng, has linked the ongoing conflict in Bawku, which has claimed 16 lives, to the presence of rival chief Seidu Abagre. He suggested that the removal of Mr. Seidu from the area could help alleviate the tension.
In an interview with JoyNews on Wednesday, the Minister expressed his uncertainty regarding how Mr. Seidu entered Bawku but emphasized the necessity of his voluntary departure. “The gentleman, Abagre Seidu, must understand that his very presence is the reason behind all this unrest. If I were in his position, I would advise myself. He has seen his people, and they are fine. We don’t need a state of emergency to facilitate his exit. Just as he found a way in, he must find a way out, and that is what I expect him to do,” he stated.
Asamoah Boateng asserted that anyone contributing to instability, regardless of their identity, should be encouraged to leave the area. He dismissed the need for a state of emergency, noting that the situation is manageable due to the existing curfew.
Contrasting the Minister’s views, Issahaku Anineyaw Somo Lucky, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for West Mamprusi Municipality, voiced skepticism regarding the effectiveness of simply removing a rival chief to reduce violence in Bawku. In an interview on Joy FM’s Top Story, he stressed the need for broader consultations with stakeholders to identify the most effective path forward. The MCE cautioned that any rash decisions could potentially worsen the situation.
