Proliferation of illicit arms in Bawku a big challenge – Toobu

Wa West Member of Parliament (MP) and retired police officer, Peter Lanchene Toobu, has warned that the spread of illicit arms in Bawku is a major problem.

“We talk about the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons in this country. It is a big challenge,” he said.

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express, Toobu emphasized the need for serious action to prevent the spread of illicit arms.

According to him, “We all believe that we need to do something very seriously to prevent it, particularly in a volatile area like Bawku.”

The conflict in Bawku, which centers on a long-standing chieftaincy dispute between the Mamprusi and Kusasi groups, has escalated in recent years due to the influx of weapons from abroad, predominantly Burkina Faso.

Toobu is calling on the government to take a more comprehensive approach to address the conflict. “This conflict requires some level of sophistication in handling,” he said, adding that he supports President John Mahama’s prioritization of the issue.

The appointment of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to lead a mediation process is seen as a step in the right direction, with Toobu welcoming the initiative as a demonstration of the President’s commitment to finding a solution.

Toobu also expressed concerns about the potential radicalization of youth and the illegal arms trade in the area. “It is possible that some people are interested in radicalizing the youth. People in the arms trade may be making a lot of money from the area,” he noted.