BAWKU UNREST:TIGHTEN SECURITY, ENSURE JUSTICE & ENFORCE THE LAW
▪︎ — IMAM TO GOV’T!
Imam Sulemana Iddrisu Bamba, a renowned Islamic scholar and the First Deputy Chief Imam for Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai in the Western North Region, has added his voice to the ongoing conflict in Bawku, calling on the government to take swift and impartial action to restore peace. According to him, the situation has escalated beyond a local dispute and now poses a serious threat to national security.
Speaking in an interview with the press, Imam Bamba expressed deep concern over the recurring violence in the Bawku enclave, which continues to result in the loss of lives and destruction of property. He described the conflict as a long-standing wound that has left generations traumatised and warned of the potential for wider instability if urgent measures are not taken.
“We cannot continue to pretend all is well while our brothers and sisters are dying,” he stated. “Tightening security is important, but peace without justice is no peace at all. The law must be enforced without fear or favour.”
He criticised political leaders who, in his view, demonstrate bias in dealing with the conflict. He urged the government to avoid favoritism and ensure that all perpetrators, regardless of their affiliations, are brought to justice. “If you shield the guilty because of political interest, you embolden others to follow,” he cautioned.
Imam Bamba further urged the National Security Secretariat to be proactive and regain public trust through visible and unbiased action. He said the continued erosion of confidence in state institutions is dangerous and could undermine national cohesion.
He also called on traditional authorities, political figures, and youth leaders to be mindful of their utterances, emphasising that leadership carries a responsibility to promote peace and unity. “This is not the time for inflammatory rhetoric. We must speak peace and act with wisdom,” he noted.
Imam Bamba stressed the need for security agencies to monitor social media platforms, street gatherings, and recreational joints where hate speech and incitement often originate. He advocated for the arrest and prosecution of individuals who incite violence, stating that accountability will serve as a deterrent.
He further advised the media to practice responsible journalism, avoid sensational reporting, and support peacebuilding efforts. “The media must not become a weapon of division. Your words can build bridges or burn them,” he said.
In a brief but emotional remark, Imam Bamba paid tribute to the family of the late Ghanaian music icon, Daddy Lumba. He described Lumba as an irreplaceable figure whose music impacted countless lives, including his own. “I even use some of his songs in my sermons. His lyrics carry messages of hope, wisdom, and truth. He will forever remain in our memories,” he said.
Concluding his remarks, the Imam issued a heartfelt appeal to the President and national leadership: “We are one people. Our ethnic differences should never divide us. The time to act is now. Bawku deserves lasting peace. Ghana deserves unity.”
