Parliament’s joint Defence and Interior and Security and Intelligence Committees have held a crucial closed-door meeting with the Ministers for Defence and Interior, along with the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), to address the alarming surge in violence in Bawku and the recent disturbances during the Ablekuma North by-election rerun.
The parliamentary committees sought assurances and detailed accounts of the measures being implemented by state security to restore order, particularly along the critical Bawku Bazaw Road and Walewale-Tamale highways. The focus also extended to a thorough investigation into the electoral violence that marred the by-election in Ablekuma North’s 19 polling stations.
Speaking to the press on Friday after the session, the leadership of the Joint Committees conveyed their deep concern regarding the increasing loss of life and the palpable sense of insecurity gripping the affected areas.
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Hon. James Agalga, MP for Builsa North and Chairperson of the Defence and Interior Committee, emphasised the urgency, stating, “We were particularly interested in knowing what steps are being taken to ensure that those who engaged in acts of violence at Ablekuma North are apprehended and dealt with in accordance with law.”
He confirmed that the ministers and the IGP had assured the committees that ongoing reviews of viral video footage would lead to the arrest of the perpetrators. Hon. Agalga also noted the interdiction of a police officer involved in the alleged assault of a journalist during the election, pending internal disciplinary action.
Hon. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, MP for Korle Klottey and Chairperson of the Security and Intelligence Committee, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the significant national security implications stemming from the Bawku conflict.
She expressed worry over the conflict’s potential spillover effects, especially considering the security situation along Ghana’s northern border and within the broader sub-region. “We have been reassured of measures that are being put in place to contain the situation, including a peace pathway being facilitated by Otumfuo,” she stated. She further affirmed the committee’s commitment to closely monitor the situation and ensure the implementation of all agreed recommendations.
Hon. John Ntim Fordjour, MP for Assin South and Ranking Member of the Defence and Interior Committee, underscored the united front presented by Parliament on these critical issues.
“The Bawku conflict is a concern to all Ghanaians, hence the need for the Committees to take a bipartisan approach devoid of politics to ensure a credible resolution acceptable to all parties,” he asserted, calling for calm among the warring factions and expressing Parliament’s unwavering support for the Asantehene’s mediation efforts.
Regarding the Ablekuma North violence, Hon. Fordjour strongly condemned the attacks on both journalists and civilians, demanding that justice be served. “We don’t want a trend where the political party with the most violent people becomes the winner in elections. Democracy is all we have,” he declared.
Hon. Agalga reiterated Parliament’s oversight mandate over all state security agencies, emphasising the necessity of summoning the relevant authorities to demand accountability in the face of escalating violence and electoral disturbances.