Bawku situation dire for humanitarian efforts — Rev Ntim Fordjour

The Ranking Member of the Defence and Interior Committee in Parliament, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, has lamented the dire consequences of the ongoing unrest in Bawku, describing it as a serious threat to humanitarian and public service delivery in the area.

According to him, the prolonged conflict has created extremely difficult conditions that are negatively affecting the operations of humanitarian workers and government personnel.

Speaking in an interview on Accra-based JoyNews’ PM Express on Monday, April 14, the Assin South Member of Parliament noted that many essential service providers are now unwilling to accept postings to Bawku due to safety concerns.

“There are no essential services thriving at the moment,” Rev Fordjour said, adding, “Teachers are refusing posting to Bawku. Nurses are refusing posting to Bawku. Doctors are refusing posting to Bawku. Essential services are crippling, and that is dire for our humanitarian efforts.”

He also urged all factions involved in the conflict to exercise restraint and prioritise peace in the war-torn municipality.

“What we are saying is that Bawku deserves peace. And for peace to prevail, we want all feuding parties to exercise absolute restraint,” he stated.

“Restraint will help to a large extent to minimise reprisal attacks, because if one faction thinks they’ve been attacked and also retaliates, then further escalation is going to occur,” added the lawmaker.

Rev Fordjour expressed worry over what he described as a new and dangerous dimension to the conflict — one that appears to pitch some of the youth against security personnel deployed to the area.