Former Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu has raised concerns over the government’s handling of the recent Bawku conflict, suggesting it could be a strategic attempt to influence the December 2024 elections rather than a genuine effort to restore peace in the region as reported by Ghana Web on Friday, November 8, 2024.
In a provocative article titled, “Was the Bawku Conflict of October 2024 the Result of Government Indolence for Purposes of the December 2024 Elections?”, Amidu questioned whether recent political decisions were aimed at securing electoral gains at the expense of stability and democracy.
Amidu pointed specifically to the recent reshuffling of regional ministers for the Upper East and Upper West Regions, indicating it might be more than just an administrative move.
“Why make this change in an election year, especially amid conflict?” he asked, suggesting that such a decision amid regional turmoil was suspect.
With approximately 287,000 voters in the Upper East Region, Amidu warned that these disruptions could significantly impact electoral outcomes, making it essential to scrutinize the motives behind these actions.
Amidu also expressed disappointment with Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, who acted as President during part of the crisis. The Vice President, he noted, comes from the North East Region, yet took no direct action to address the escalating violence in Bawku.
“The Vice President hails from the North East Region, yet he did not act to quell the crisis or reassure the people,” Amidu criticized, calling the Vice President’s silence particularly alarming in a period that demanded proactive leadership to prevent further casualties.
Amidu further questioned the Chief Justice’s decision to close courts in parts of the Upper East Region due to the violence, noting that a similar response did not occur in the North East Region, despite reports of fatalities there as well. This selective response, he argued, appears politically motivated.
The closure of courts, he suggested, could destabilize the Upper East Region just ahead of the polls, impacting judicial access and order in a key electoral area.
Ultimately, Amidu suggested that the Bawku conflict was unlikely a coincidence. “I refuse to be duped into believing this conflict wasn’t orchestrated to achieve a political end,” he stated, rejecting the idea that the unrest was unrelated to the upcoming election.