The Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Stephen Asamoah Boateng, has attributed the ongoing conflict in Bawku, which has resulted in 16 deaths, to the presence of the rival chief, Seidu Abagre.

He believes that locating and removing Mr Seidu from the area will ease the tension.

Speaking in an interview with JoyNews on Wednesday, the Minister expressed uncertainty about how Mr Seidu entered Bawku but stressed the need for his voluntary departure.

“The gentleman, Abagre Seidu, must understand that his very presence is the reason behind all this unrest. If I were in his position, I would advise myself. He has seen his people, and they are fine. We don’t need a state of emergency to facilitate his exit. Just as he found a way in, he must find a way out, and that is what I expect him to do,” he remarked.

• Read also: Bawku conflict: No one should play politics with this sensitive matter – Chieftaincy Minister warns

He indicated that anyone whose presence fuels instability, regardless of their identity, should be made to leave the area.

The Minister ruled out the need for a state of emergency, stating that the situation is under control due to the curfew already in place.

However, in an interview on Joy FM's Top Story, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for West Mamprusi Municipality, Issahaku Anineyaw Somo Lucky, is not confident that merely removing a rival chief in Bawku will curb the resurgence of violence in the community.

According to him, the situation would require more consultation with stakeholders to determine the best way forward.

The MCE feared that any other move had the propensity of aggravating the situation.