Mr. Fred Agbenyo, Member of Parliament for Guan, has criticised successive governments for their failure to effectively manage recurring conflicts across the country, calling for a more decisive approach to resolving longstanding disputes.

Speaking on TV3’s Big Issues on Tuesday, 18 March 2025, Mr Agbenyo expressed deep concern over persistent clashes in conflict-prone areas, attributing the violence to government inaction and lack of intervention.

His comments come in the wake of the killing of a Ghana Armed Forces officer in Bawku, in the Upper East Region. The officer, identified as a Warrant Officer Class Two, was reportedly shot dead on Monday, 17 March 2025, near a military buffer zone set up to contain hostilities in the town.

The incident has heightened tensions in Bawku, a town that has been under joint security deployment since 2021 following the resurgence of violent conflict.

Mr Agbenyo accused the government of failing to enforce peace and resolve conflicts, particularly those related to land ownership and chieftaincy disputes.

“This conflict is becoming a major concern, and I think the state must take responsibility. We have failed as a nation in managing these disputes,” he stated.

He stressed that unresolved historical grievances and land disputes have been left to fester for decades, resulting in repeated cycles of violence.

“The government must show more commitment in addressing these conflicts. The current approach has not yielded the desired results, and innocent lives continue to be lost. We cannot allow this situation to persist,” he added.

The MP proposed a national conflict resolution strategy focusing on prevention, mediation, and swift security intervention. He suggested that when land disputes remain unresolved, the government should step in to make legally binding decisions, including reclaiming contested lands for national development projects.

“If two communities, two tribes, or two individuals cannot agree on land ownership, the state should have the authority to set clear boundaries or take over the land and develop it for a project that serves both parties. It is time for the state to say, ‘Enough is enough,’” he asserted.

He also urged policymakers to actively engage traditional rulers and religious leaders in peace negotiations, emphasising that lasting solutions must involve local stakeholders.

Adding to the discussion, Dr Abdul-Jalilu Ateku, a conflict and peacebuilding expert at the University of Ghana, identified political interference as a major factor sustaining conflicts.

“The role of the state in resolving these issues is crucial, but political interference often complicates the process. Some politicians exploit these conflicts for electoral gains, which only worsens the situation,” he noted.

Dr Ateku called for a non-partisan approach to conflict resolution, urging the government to empower traditional and local authorities to play a greater role in mediation.

Nana Yaw Sarpong, a senior aide to the founder of the Movement for Change, Alan Kyerematen, pointed out that some groups benefit financially from ongoing violence, making conflict resolution even more challenging.

“Conflict is profitable. Some people have made businesses out of war and instability. That is why public education and community engagement are critical. People must understand that their lives are worth more than any financial or political gains derived from these conflicts,” he explained.

He called for urgent security reforms, particularly in intelligence gathering, to curb arms smuggling into conflict zones.