The Member of Parliament for Zebilla, Cletus Avoka has expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the ongoing Bawku chieftaincy crisis.
He accused the government of complicity in the escalating tensions, citing lack of proactive measures to address the situation effectively.
According to Avoka, the crisis could have been averted if the government had fulfilled its responsibility with sincerity and commitment to ensuring peace in the area. He criticized the authorities for failing to act decisively despite early warnings and legal developments that signaled potential conflict.
Avoka revealed that he, along with two other lawyers who are Kusasis engaged key government officials, including the National Security Minister, the National Security Coordinator, and the Attorney General, to discuss the situation. He emphasized that they advised the government to pursue additional legal steps beyond filing an appeal against a Court of Appeal decision related to the dispute.
He explained that they had suggested obtaining a new warrant of arrest from a district court, following the Court of Appeal’s clarification that only a magistrate court could issue such a warrant. This advice, according to Avoka, was acknowledged by the government, but no concrete action was taken.
“The conflict could have been prevented if the government had acted swiftly and followed through with the necessary steps. They knew that allowing the individual involved to enter Bawku would spark a crisis, yet nothing was done,” Avoka stated.
The Zebilla MP stressed that the situation in Bawku remains a security threat and called on the government to take urgent measures to restore peace and stability in the area. He urged the authorities to prioritize dialogue and proactive conflict resolution efforts to prevent further escalation.