Senior Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, has issued a strong call for military intervention in Bawku, describing the ongoing conflict in the Upper East town as having escalated beyond the limits of negotiation and policing.
Speaking in an interview on Joy News, Bentil did not mince words as he argued that the volatile situation has morphed into a near-war zone and requires a new, forceful strategy to restore order. According to him, traditional methods of mediation and community policing have failed to yield results.
“We’ve tried negotiations. We’ve tried the police. None of it is working,” he said. “What the military is trained to do is to take territory, hold it, and impose peace. That is what must be done now.”
Bentil emphasized the futility of dialogue when armed groups feel emboldened by their capacity to use force. “If people believe they can win through violence, they won’t negotiate,” he stated. “Negotiation works when it becomes the more attractive or cost-effective option.”
He further highlighted the grave security risks, pointing to recent reports that even the Inspector General of Police’s convoy came under fire. For Bentil, that is a clear indication that the conflict is now beyond what the police can manage.
The IMANI Vice President criticized the cyclical nature of government responses to the Bawku conflict, noting that authorities continue to repeat ineffective strategies. He warned that failure to act decisively now could embolden more armed factions and worsen the already precarious situation.
“The military must step in—not just for presence, but to control and stabilize the area,” he asserted, adding that peace can only be restored when there is firm authority on the ground.
Bentil’s comments come amid growing national concern over the deteriorating security in Bawku, where violent clashes have persisted despite government interventions. His call signals a broader debate over the role of the military in handling internal conflict and the limits of dialogue in protracted disputes.
