The Upper East Regional Peace Council has called on residents and factions involved in the Bawku chieftaincy conflict to lay down their arms and embrace non-violence means to resolve their differences.

This call followed escalating violent clashes in the Bawku township and its environs because of chieftaincy dispute, resulting in the death of more than 20 people and injury to many since last Thursday.

A statement, signed by Alhaji Sumaila Issaka, the Chairman of the Upper East Regional Peace Council stated that engaging in violence would only deepen the situation in the area.

“The Upper Regional Peace Council has noted with profound sadness the recent happenings in Bawku,” the statement lamented.

“This is so much so after many fruitful engagements by all stakeholders and a period of calm for the most part of the year, leading to the easing of the curfew and peaceful celebration of the Damba festival. However, since October 24, 2024, the situation in Bawku has deteriorated resulting in the loss of lives and creation of fear and insecurity in the area, even extending to the Bolgatanga-Tamale Highway.

“While appreciating the efforts of all stakeholders, especially the security services and the people of Bawku, the Council wishes to call on parties in the conflict to heed the call of non-violence and protect the peace so that Bawku can return to stability.”

The statement urged the security agencies to remain professional and be proactive in ensuring the safety of all people in Bawku and of all travellers on the Bolgatanga-Tamale highway.

It also urged all the residents of Bawku to support the law enforcement agencies to implement actions that would help ease the tension and allow people to pursue their livelihoods in a more predictable manner.

“Crucially, we are in the last quarter of the year with the upcoming general election and annual festivals such as the Samanpiid and Buud Yelle that must be allowed to take place in a climate of peace.

“All parties should by now know that violence only deepens the sufferings of the people of Bawku and never a way to addressing their grievances.

“Without the use of non-violent approaches, we are only going to witness another cycle of violence and insecurity to no one’s benefit,” it added.

Reliable sources told the Ghana News Agency that the clash is because of a reported return of a new chief reportedly enskinned by one of the factions involved in the protracted conflict.

A High Court had initially issued a warrant for the arrest of the new chief as it deemed its enskinment as illegal.

However, the court, a few days ago withdrew the arrest warrant, and that paved the way for the chief to return to the area which sparked tension and subsequently led to gunshots leading to several deaths and injuries.

The violent clash began with the alleged killing of an 11-year-old girl by one of the factions involved in the clash.

More than 20 people were killed within the Bawku township last Thursday while eight people were also killed on the Bolgatanga-Tamale highway near Walewale in an attack that had also been linked to the renewed clashes in Bawku.

Some unidentified armed men blocked vehicles on the road on the highway and started shooting the travellers, killing eight and injuring many others.