Lawyer and Senior Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil says the country is playing with fire over the management of the current chieftaincy dispute in Bawku which has claimed 19 lives.

In an interview on JoyNews’ Newsfile on November 2, he explained that the Bawku conflict could escalate to parts of other regions since they have formations around the two factions in the dispute.

Mr Bentil cited examples of past ethnic clashes, such as those in Agbogbloshie, as evidence of how these tensions could potentially escalate.

“It is sad and unfortunately, we are playing with fire. I am aware that there were times in Agogbloshie when a fight erupted and we hear that in certain places in Accra, we have formations around these ethnic groups, God forbid but when they start firing, you’ll be surprised how terribly this can spread. We also hear that the guns that are being supplied are from Accra, so there is a lot underfoot.”

He proposed that the government impose strict regulations on chieftaincy institutions in conflict zones, potentially suspending chieftaincy roles until disputes are resolved.

He also suggested that while chiefs play a respected cultural role, they are not essential for the state’s functioning and should not be allowed to endanger public safety.

He stressed the need for the government to assert its authority in Bawku and promptly address the situation by deploying the army to resolve the conflict, adding that the happening in Bawku is not beyond the security systems in this country.

He further supported calls for a state of emergency to be declared in Bawku.

“If a state of emergency will prevent the death of 19 people, do it. What is the purpose of the state? You can’t convince me that the Ghana Army is not capable of taking and holding Bawku…this is why the state exists and we have an army, just stamp authority on it,” he said.