Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Universal Friendship Organisation Condemns Bawku Conflict, Calls for Urgent National Intervention
“Where Are the Peace Advocacy Groups and the Peace Council?”
Accra, Ghana – 29th July 2025
A Humanitarian Emergency
The violence in Bawku has led to the deaths of innocent civilians, including children, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities. Many more are at risk as the conflict persists. The deteriorating security situation is untenable, and we cannot remain silent while our fellow citizens suffer.
A Call for Immediate Action
We urge peace advocacy groups, including the Peace Council, Christian Council, Muslim leadership, civil society organisations, and traditional leaders, to step forward and take immediate, decisive action. Where are the voices that preach peace during elections? We call on pastors, imams, and faith leaders to extend their efforts beyond the pulpit and mosque to actively promote peace in Bawku. This is not just a regional issue it is a national emergency that demands the attention of all.
Impact on Bawku and Its People
The prolonged dispute between Kusasis and Mamprusis is undoing decades of social and economic progress. Bawku is becoming a ghost town as fear drives away public and private sector workers teachers, nurses, traders, and civil servants who no longer feel safe. The entire municipality is on the brink of collapse if urgent measures are not taken.
Loss of Credibility Among Peace Stakeholders
It is disappointing that prominent peace-building institutions and leaders have failed to address the crisis with the urgency and commitment it deserves. Their continued silence and perceived inaction are eroding public trust and compromising their credibility. We call on them to rise above passivity and take bold steps toward reconciliation and resolution.
Government Efforts and the Role of Civil Society
While we acknowledge the government’s efforts to restore calm, the absence of strong and consistent support from civil society and peacebuilding organisations remains a major gap. Peace promotion should not be seasonal or event-based it must be continuous, people-centered, and proactive.
Recommendations
To address the crisis effectively, the Universal Friendship Organisation recommends:
- Enhanced border security to prevent the influx of illicit arms and ammunition.
- Increased logistical and legal support for national security forces to combat and control violence.
- Joint military-police operations to disarm individuals and groups unlawfully possessing weapons.
The Way Forward
It is time for all peace-promoting institutions, NGOs, traditional authorities, youth leaders, and faith-based groups to take collective responsibility for restoring peace to Bawku. We must act now not tomorrow, not during the next election cycle but today.
Conclusion
The Universal Friendship Organisation stands in solidarity with the people of Bawku. We reiterate our call for an immediate end to the violence and a return to peace, dignity, and development. We urge all actors to place humanity above politics, and to join hands in the spirit of unity and reconciliation. For more information, please contact:
Samuel Adobah President
Universal Friendship Organisation
0546990659 / 0503355150
