Bawku crisis: Don’t be neutral, be impartial – Toobu to Police

Wa West MP and retired police officer, Peter Lanchene Toobu, has called for the police deployed in Bawku to act with decisive impartiality amid the escalating conflict in the town.

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express, Toobu emphasized that neutrality is insufficient in the face of rising lawlessness and deadly attacks.

“I want to encourage the men and women in uniform that in a situation like this, where it has become violent, professional hazards are expected,” he said, extending condolences to the families of victims and the Ghana Police Service following recent fatalities.

“That is why standard operating procedures are always strictly enforced.”

Toobu urged police personnel to adhere to safety protocols, stating, “You don’t go into town alone. You don’t go into town when you are not in uniform. You don’t go into town when you are not permitted by your command,” he said.

“It is restrictive because it has become a red zone. The risk is high, and when the risk is higher, people in uniform must be extremely careful.”

Toobu stressed the importance of police impartiality, saying, “I wouldn’t expect the police not to be neutral. The police should not be neutral in Bawku. They should be impartial”.

“Simply put, you are not a friend to any of the feuding parties. You are interested in them coming together and living peacefully.”

He warned that police should clearly identify wrongdoers, stating, “If A is wrong, say so. If B is wrong, say so. But there shouldn’t be a point where the impartial arbiter — the person who is in the middle to create a buffer to bring peace — becomes a party to the matter and is being attacked. That’s very, very dangerous.”

The MP also highlighted the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons, noting its contribution to the conflict and risks to security personnel. “We talk about the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons in this country. It is a big challenge,” he said.

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

Toobu pointed to underlying threats, including youth radicalization and illegal arms trading, saying, “It is possible that some people are interested in radicalising the youth. It is possible that people in the arms trade are making a lot of money from the area.”

He advocated for a national-level response, stating, “This conflict requires some level of sophistication in handling. And that is why I support the President.”

Toobu praised President John Mahama’s prioritization of Bawku and the appointment of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to lead a mediation process, noting, “He said Bawku is a priority, and he demonstrated that. That is the team that will have to drive a solution and bring peace to bear.”

The conflict in Bawku has been ongoing, with concerns about security and stability in the region. As a result, the Ghanaian government has been working to address the issue through various initiatives, including mediation efforts. Peter Lanchene Toobu’s comments underscore the need for a nuanced approach to conflict resolution, emphasizing the importance of impartiality and effective handling of security challenges.