Military must use intelligence, not force – Mahama on Bawku crisis

The President John Mahama has acknowledged the military’s frustration over the loss of their colleague in Bawku, but urged them to exercise restraint and rely on intelligence to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“I understand the righteous anger at the loss of a colleague serviceman, but we must exercise restraint and use effective intelligence gathering to identify and bring the culprits to justice,” he said.

President Mahama strongly condemned the recent killing of the soldier, describing it as an unacceptable act against peacekeepers deployed to protect lives and property.

Speaking during his ‘Thank You Tour’ in the Upper East Region on Thursday, March 20, he also criticised the violent response of some military personnel, which led to injuries among civilians.

“I wish to take this opportunity to condemn the killing of a member of the Ghana Army recently in Bawku.

“The members of the Ghana Armed Forces in the conflict zone are peacekeepers who have been sent there to protect life, limb, and property. It is unacceptable for them to become targets of a conflict to which they are not a party,” he stated.

Mahama also reassured the people of the Upper East Region of his government’s commitment to ensuring equitable development.

“The Upper East Region, like every other part of Ghana, deserves its fair share of development—not as a favour, but as my government’s actionable commitment to ensuring no Ghanaian is left behind,” he pledged.

Meanwhile, catch the first in the series of our special episodes on Forgotten Forts on People and Places on GhanaWeb TV below. This episode focuses on Fort Amsterdam at Abandze: