Depoliticise Bawku conflict and back IGP’s peace plan – Security Analyst tells political actors

Security analyst Emmanuel Kotin has called on political parties, particularly the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), to refrain from politicising efforts aimed at restoring peace in Bawku, following recent criticisms directed at the Inspector-General of Police, Dr Christian Tetteh Yohuno.

Speaking during a telephone interview on Hot Edition on 3FM with Alfred Ocansey, Mr Kotin defended the IGP’s recent remarks during his tour of Bawku, where he pledged to prioritise the area’s youth in future police recruitment drives as part of broader peacebuilding efforts.

“Today, you realise that just a simple question was asked of the IGP, and in response, he said he would prioritise employing Bawku youths into the Police Service. The Minority held a press conference as a result. These pressers are increasingly becoming one-two minute stunts and are losing their intended effect,” Mr Kotin remarked.

He stressed that IGP Yohuno’s approach reflects a more nuanced and culturally aware form of policing, tailored to the volatile context of Bawku.

“To me, the IGP has taken policing to another level by bringing diplomacy to bear, being mindful of the cultural and emotional sensitivities, given the heavy losses on both sides,” he added.

Mr Kotin questioned the political backlash, saying the IGP’s commitment was to the broader Bawku community, not to any specific ethnic group.

“When he said he would prioritise youth, did he say Kusasi or Mamprusi? Are they not all from Bawku?” he asked rhetorically. “It’s not everything we must play politics with. People have suffered for far too long.”

The security expert also referenced similar region-specific recruitment initiatives in the past, arguing that such measures do not breed bias but rather address historical marginalisation.

“The people of Bawku are suffering. They haven’t enjoyed the national cake like the rest of us because of this conflict. If the IGP is pleading with them to let peace prevail, what’s so wrong with that?” he queried.

Responding to the Minority’s press conference, Kotin criticised what he saw as premature and unhelpful posturing by the NPP.

“For Christ’s sake, the minority are behaving as if they’ve been in opposition for 10 years. It’s been just three months since they left office, after governing for eight good years. What did they do to resolve the conflict?” he asked.

He further called for leadership and restraint from all sides, including the New Patriotic Party (NPP), pointing specifically to former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

“I thought that with Dr Bawumia as a son of the Mamprusiand a former presidential candidate of the NPP, that would be a turning point for peace-building. This is the time for both sides to step back, listen, and work together,” Kotin urged.

He concluded by appealing to both major parties to respect the efforts of traditional authorities like the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and his peace delegation.

“I plead with both the NPP and NDC to consider the good people of Bawku. They have suffered long enough. Depoliticise the tensions and allow the Otumfuo and his team to do their work,” Mr Kotin stated.

The Inspector General of Police, during his recent visit to Bawku, reiterated calls for calm and assured residents of the police administration’s resolve to build trust and prioritise the inclusion of local youth in national security efforts — a gesture analysts say could strengthen community-police cooperation in a conflict-prone zone.

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