Former Defense Minister Dominic Nitiwul has emphasised the importance of firmness and fairness in addressing the protracted conflict in Bawku.

The Bimbilla MP speaking on Joy News' PM Express on Tuesday, provided candid reflections on his tenure, lessons learned, and advice for the current administration on resolving the crisis.

He described Bawku as a deeply entrenched conflict zone, one that requires a delicate but firm approach.

“The government must be firm and fair in its dealings. If the people sense any weakness or lack of fairness, they will exploit it. That’s just the reality in situations where mistrust runs deep,” he stated.

Reflecting on his time in office, Mr Nitiwul acknowledged that while his administration made significant efforts to maintain peace, total resolution eluded them.

“We did whatever we needed to do to keep peace, but achieving total peace was something that escaped us. It remains one of my regrets,” he admitted.

He recounted how the complexities of balancing enforcement with minimizing harm to citizens shaped decision-making.

“You cannot unleash the same level of force on your own people as you would on an invading force. It’s about enforcing peace without causing unnecessary harm.”

Mr Nitiwul also highlighted the challenge of criminal elements infiltrating the chieftaincy disputes in Bawku, exacerbating tensions.

“At a point, it became clear that criminals were exploiting the chieftaincy system for their own ends, creating an even bigger problem for everyone involved,” he explained.

He pointed out that the conflict has roots stretching back decades, with mistrust deeply ingrained in the social fabric of the region.

“This is not a problem that started yesterday. It dates back to before the 1950s and has only grown over time. It’s not something you can just sweep under the carpet,” he emphasised.

Commending President John Mahama’s prioritisation of the Bawku crisis, Nitiwul expressed optimism about the current administration’s approach.

“I’m happy that the President has decided to make Bawku a top priority. It’s encouraging to see this commitment, both before and after the elections,” he noted.

However, Dominic Nitiwul cautioned that achieving peace requires more than just promises. He stressed the need for trust-building measures between the Kusasis and Mamprusis, the two dominant factions.

“The government must ensure that the people it appoints to key positions are trusted by both factions. If you appoint individuals that one side does not trust, you’re only making the situation worse,” he warned.

He reiterated that fairness in governance is paramount.

“If the people see that the government is not fair, it will erode confidence and embolden those who wish to exploit the situation. Fairness and firmness must go hand in hand,” he advised.

Ending on a note of optimism, Mr Nitiwul asserted that peace in Bawku is achievable with the right approach.

“It’s a challenging situation, but peace can be achieved. It requires trust, commitment, and fairness. With these principles in place, lasting resolution is possible,” he concluded.