April 15, 2025

To: His Excellency,

President of the United Nations Security Council

United Nations Headquarters

New York, NY, USA

Subject: Urgent Appeal for Intervention in the Ongoing Conflict in Bawku, Ghana

Dear Your Excellency,

I write to you as a concerned Ghanaian-born American citizen and a graduate student at the University of Massachusetts, United States of America, where I am pursuing a degree in Information Technology with a concentration in Cybersecurity.

It is with a heavy heart and a deep sense of urgency that I bring to your attention a violent conflict currently escalating in Bawku, a border town in the Upper East Region of Ghana, particularly in a community known as Pusiga. Bawku is home to approximately 125,000 people—most of whom are vulnerable women and children—many living in conditions of poverty and underdevelopment.

Just yesterday, a close friend of mine, whom I assisted in joining the Ghana Police Service two years ago, reached out to me. He informed me that he had recently been deployed to the conflict zone in Bawku. I have known this friend for over a decade, and I trust his judgment and integrity. He confided in me that the situation in Bawku is dire—describing the conflict as warlike in its intensity. According to him, the past three weeks have seen deadly clashes between two factions, with weapons as sophisticated as those used by the Ghanaian security forces.

He narrowly escaped death when a bullet missed him by inches. Tragically, three of his colleagues were struck—two of whom were killed instantly, and the third had to be airlifted to Accra for medical treatment.

According to reliable sources, more than 300 lives have been lost so far. The weapons being used are not rudimentary; they are advanced and lethal, making the conflict far more devastating and difficult to control. Despite the seriousness of this crisis, it appears that governmental responses have often been delayed or driven by political calculations rather than a resolute will to restore peace.

I personally know Bawku and its people. Many families in this area live on less than $5 a day, and countless children are either out of school or at serious risk due to the violence. This region cannot afford to lose another generation to war and instability.

Your Excellency, I humbly appeal for your urgent intervention. Please use your esteemed office to initiate dialogue with the government of Ghana and His Excellency, President John Mahama, whose leadership could play a crucial role in mediating and calming the tensions. I also urge the Council to bring global attention to the need for humanitarian assistance in this region.

I have been informed this morning, April 15, 2025, that the Asantehene, His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, is scheduled to mediate between the warring factions. While this is a hopeful step, international support and pressure are essential to ensure lasting peace and immediate cessation of hostilities.

The killing must stop. I submit this letter in good faith and with great urgency. Lives are at stake, and your action can make a world of difference.

With deep respect and hope,

Victor Hayibor

Graduate Student, University of Massachusetts

Naturalized U.S. Citizen

Ghanaian by birth