President John Mahama has promised that as efforts to bring peace back to the war-torn Bawku region pick up speed, the peace mediation process headed by Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II will continue next week.
The president stated that the Asantehene had promised him that upon his return from a short trip overseas, he would bring stakeholders together and carry on the peace talks during a graduation ceremony held at the Ghana Military Academy on Friday, April 11.
“We started the Otumfuo mediation process, which involved talks on a peace roadmap in Kumasi with all parties involved. He declared, “The Asantehene has assured me that the process will start next week when he returns from his brief trip overseas.”
“I implore all sides to embrace peace as we dialogue to resolve these age-old disputes,” he continued, urging all parties to reaffirm their commitment to peace.
He described the violence that has been occurring in Bawku lately, where two days ago there was an incident in a marketplace that resulted in property damage and fatalities.
The region of Bawku remains the flashpoint. An unfortunate number of people were killed and property was vandalised in a marketplace just two days ago. He emphasised that no one benefits from the current state of unrest and instability.
The President expressed gratitude to the Ghanaian Armed Forces for their efforts in the unstable region. “We are proud of our Armed Forces for their selfless sacrifices, even at great personal risk, to safeguard people and property in the Bawku war region. For Bawku and the surrounding area to be peaceful again, everyone must work together,” he continued.
He also reiterated efforts to increase the combat and operational capability of the Armed Forces. He declared that improved military training, new equipment, and readiness for quick deployment will be top priorities for his administration.
“In order to rebuild our country and create the Ghana we desire, my government will vigorously pursue the concepts of combat preparedness and operational readiness of the Ghana Armed Forces. We will provide the Ghanaian Armed Forces with improved equipment, such as additional simulators, more sophisticated training, and the capacity to quickly mobilise in an emergency,” he declared.
In a gesture of unity, the President wore the Ghana Navy uniform and promised to increase possibilities for non-commissioned officers and to continue a promotion system based on merit. He pledged to address inadequate military housing as well.
Under my leadership as Commander-in-Chief, promotions based on competence rather than connections will be the rule rather than the exception. He promised, “We will renovate deteriorated and abandoned military housing across the nation and build new housing units in the barracks.”
Ghana’s significant commitment to UN peacekeeping, especially the deployment of women, was emphasised by him: “Ghana has deployed 23.3% female staff officers and military observers, in excess of the UN benchmark of 14.21%.”
President Mahama warned against bringing false accusations for political benefit in reaction to recent charges that some international planes were being utilised for money laundering and drug trafficking.
“We will take any criminal accusations seriously and use our security service’s investigative tools to target offenders, regardless of their identity. Let me reiterate, however, that we do not have the time or resources to play any kind of smoke and mirrors game,” he stated.
