NETWORK OF WOMEN MEDIATORS IN GHANA
An affiliate of the Women Mediators Across the Commonwealth
Contact no: 0546713550/0243203060
Press Statement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Place: Issued in Accra
Date: 21ST February, 2023
TITLE: BAWKU CONFLICT MUST BE GIVEN URGENT NATIONAL ATTENTION
The Network of Women Mediators in Ghana, an affiliate of the Women Mediators
Across The Commonwealth and the Global Alliance of Women Mediators Network
has taken note of the deterioration of the Bawku Conflict.
The Network is concerned that the recent happenings threaten to further exacerbate
the existing tensions in the community. The conflict has become a threat to state
security and therefore requires urgent state led actions for peace and security to
thrive.
It is quite clear that the conflict has taken a downward trend with much more
complexities than before. We have noted that the people, especially the parties in
the conflict are beginning to lose trust in the current response mechanisms,
including the securitised strategies and the judicial interpretations to resolve this
conflict.
The Network of Women Mediators in Ghana is deeply concerned about innocent
lives lost in the Bawku conflict so far and its dire impact on the quality of life of all
citizens in the area. The dreadful impact of the conflict is especially aggravated on
women and children as schools close down and health official flee the area. About
27 pregnant women are reported to have died between 2021 and 2022 because
health professionals have absconded the conflict area; the threat to the education
of children, and the impact of livelihood of many citizens, especially on women has
become a dire issue which requires Government urgent attention.
Considering all the above, the Network of Women Mediators in Ghana reiterate that
the Bawku Conflict can no longer be described as a communal conflict. We are
concerned that extremist groups can take advantage of the vulnerability created by
the conflict resulting in a likely flow of violence from extremists groups across the
border. Ghana risk the spread of violence to other parts of the country if urgent
action is not taken to curb the violence in Bawku. Government of Ghana must
therefore urgently come out with an official response to the crisis.
The Network is calling on the parties in the conflict and the Government of Ghana
to urgently take the following steps to restore peace to the area and prevent the
situation from getting worse:
1. All parties to the conflict must cease fire and commit to dialogue in search for
collective solution for all stand to loose in a conflict like this.
2. Government must initiate and support an inclusive political dialogue process, that
seeks the interests and needs of the affected people and the nation state of Ghana
as a country.
3. Urgently appoint a committee of eminent chiefs to lead the political dialogue with
lessons from the Dagbon mediation process.
4. The conflict has been politicised enough with no solution. Politicians should
commit to work together in search of a lasting solution to the conflict, by
committing to be part and actively participating in the political dialogue process.
5. The Media must be circumspect in their reportage, as certain reportage only stirs
emotions for parties in conflict to stick to their positions rather than listen to
alternative ways of responding to situations. Media houses who cause further
tensions through their reportage, such as false reportage should be sanctioned by
state security agencies.
6. Vulnerable groups especially women, children, elderly and persons with disability
must be protected by the security agencies and both parties should commit to doing
this as part of their commitment for a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
7. We call on the national security apparatus to be proactive, use intelligence and
early warning to prevent the conflict from getting worse.
We reiterate our call for a state-led process to address the Bawku Conflict.
The network of Women Mediators in Ghana consists of trained women mediators
across Ghana. The group is affiliated to the Women Mediators in the Commonwealth.
Signed by
Conveners:
Mrs Theodora Williams Anti and Mrs Janet Adama Mohammed