Election Observers and Security Analysts have raised concerns over the security situation in Bawku ahead of the 2024 general election, emphasising the need to enhance security measures in the area to ensure a safe environment for election officials, observers, and voters.
Speaking to Channel One News, security analyst Adib Saani indicated that the current situation poses a significant challenge, potentially impacting the ability to hold elections safely in Bawku.
“It is possible that elections can be called off in Bawku so what we have to do is to work seriously to improve the security situation in the area. At this point there is no fighting so let’s take advantage of that to engage the stakeholders in the area; the chiefs and youth groups, because we know the combatants. Let’s engage them and find a long-lasting, sustainable and amicable solution to what is going on.
“Let us engage the stakeholders on the ground and do a better assessment so we will be able to have the elections. This issue is bringing to bear a human rights dimension to what is going on. For people not to vote means we are disenfranchising them but it is their right to vote else that will variably mean they don’t have representation with this attendant ramification.
“We need to work very hard to improve the situation in Bawku.” He further expressed concern about the government’s apparent lack of commitment to achieving a lasting resolution and called for a collaboration with civil society organizations (CSOs) in these efforts.
Saani suggested that a stronger commitment from the government could boost residents’ confidence, foster a safer environment, and uphold the community’s right to vote and representation.
” Nobody is safe, even members of the security agencies. I am worried because our efforts at Bawku, I mean solving the situation there have been straight jacket. We continue doing the same thing expressing a different outcome, things don’t work that way. You don’t expect that always deploying military and police personnel and imposing curfews will bring change.
“You have done nothing but in the interim stopped the fighting. Tomorrow they will fight again. That is the status quo, the possibility that they will fight again is quite high. It just needs a little trigger. That is why CSO participation is important. We have a lot of CSOs doing a lot of remarkable things in the area. They are with the people, they understand the terrain.
“The people trust the CSOs more than they trust the politicians. If we engage the CSOs they will be able to do a better job on the ground so the people can vote in peace”, he stated.
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