Member of Parliament for Wa West, Peter Lanchene Toobu, has passionately called on the government and stakeholders to treat the ongoing Bawku crisis as a matter of national urgency. Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express, the former senior police officer expressed grave concern over the recent surge in violence and the tragic loss of security personnel in the conflict-ridden municipality.
Toobu, known for his security expertise, began by offering his heartfelt condolences to the families of the fallen officers and the Ghana Police Service. He emphasized the increasing dangers in the region, describing Bawku as a red zone that requires extreme caution and discipline from officers deployed there.
According to the MP, security personnel must maintain an impartial stance, rather than a neutral one, when dealing with the feuding factions in Bawku. He explained that neutrality may suggest a lack of involvement, while impartiality promotes active efforts to ensure peace without bias toward any party.
Toobu warned against the deteriorating security situation, noting that the conflict has reached a troubling level where some factions have reportedly turned their weapons on the very officers trying to restore peace. He described this shift as extremely dangerous, stating that peacekeepers should never become targets in a situation they are deployed to resolve.
He further expressed alarm at the increasing circulation of illicit small arms and light weapons in the area. This, he said, poses a serious threat to national security, especially when such weapons fall into the hands of youth who may be radicalised or manipulated for criminal purposes.
Supporting recent statements by the President on prioritising Bawku, Toobu commended the decision to appoint the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to lead mediation efforts. He believes this shows political will and a recognition of the need for a comprehensive and culturally informed resolution process.
Toobu was clear in his stance that the conflict should be depoliticised. He stated that political affiliation should not influence the approach to resolving the matter, stressing that it is not a party issue but a national concern that affects everyone. He called for a united front involving all Ghanaians to address the problem with strategic and coordinated efforts.
His remarks reflect growing public concern over the state of law and order in Bawku, where years of chieftaincy disputes and community tensions have escalated into a broader crisis. Toobu’s appeal serves as a reminder of the need for urgent, national-level intervention to restore peace and security in the area.
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