A Conflict and Security Analyst says that there has been a failure in intelligence regarding the resurfacing conflicts in Bawku.

According to him, government would have noted the resurgence of the conflict since the previous year if due diligence on information gathering were done.

“We all understand that the government has been reactive and probably there was a failure in intelligence. If intelligence was working, the state should have known sometime late last year thereabout that there were signs of conflict erupting in Bawku,” he said.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile Saturday, the expert called for the need to “deepen” intelligence, saying that the mere deployment of military soldiers to the Northern Region would not yield positive results.

The retired colonel further recommended that the parties involved in the conflict should not be labelled.

He explained that for instance labelling a party as “criminals” is an approach that is counterproductive in conflict resolution.

The Security expert, therefore, advised the authorities to be measured in their statements.

In the wake of consistent reports on issues of tribal conflicts at Bawku, military soldiers were deployed there to maintain sanity.

However, in the process of maintaining peace and order as indicated by the Ghana Armed Forces, some 10 civilians lost their lives as soldiers tried “neutralising” persons reported to have wielded weapons.

Subsequently, the Bawku Central MP, Mahama Ayariga in a statement condemned the activities of the military soldiers, accusing them of admitting wrongdoing.

He has since called for the families of the deceased persons to be compensated.

Given the situation, conflict zones were placed under curfew for a period of time.

However, Colonel Aboagye is of the view that the curfew which seeks to cease the movements of persons and motorcycles, would exacerbate the living conditions of individuals in the affected areas.

Meanwhile, there are fears that apart from political influences, jihadist activities could also be fueling the said conflicts.