Majority Leader: Bawku Was Peaceful Until NPP Came to Power
Accra, Ghana – August 1, 2025 – The Majority Leader of Parliament and MP for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, has stated that peace prevailed in Bawku from the 1990s until the New Patriotic Party (NPP) assumed office. He attributed the resurgence of violence in recent years to political dynamics linked to NPP rule.
Historic Calm Until 2000
According to Mahama Ayariga, Bawku experienced relative peace during successive National Democratic Congress (NDC) administrations from the early 1990s through the end of the 1990s. The resurgence of conflict began when the NPP came into power around the year 2000.
Patterns of Escalation Under NPP Rule
Ayariga cited periods of renewed violence in 2007-2008 and again in 2021, corresponding directly with NPP’s terms in government. The MP suggested that political manipulation and ethnic tensions underlie the conflict’s resurgence.
Government’s Peace-building Commitment
Despite the stakes, Ayariga emphasised that the Mahama administration is committed to durable peace in Bawku. He confirmed high-level security coordination involving President Mahama, the Ministers of Interior and Defence, and community elders—including active mediation efforts by Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
Condemning Brutality While Calling for Restraint
Ayariga strongly condemned the alleged military brutalities, including unlawful intrusions and assaults on civilians. He stressed that law enforcement should prioritise targeted intelligence and community cooperation—not indiscriminate violence—for restoring order.
Source: My News Ghana
About the Author
