Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) John Mahama has assured Bawku residents that he will prioritise restoring peace in the community if he is successful in the upcoming elections.

The former President stated that it was unfortunate that tensions in Bawku have escalated despite efforts his government made to calm nerves.

Speaking at the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs on February 2, he said, “Generally, it is a period of insecurity for the people living in that area.

"In the night buses are fired upon, and people are killed sometimes when the buses are going from Bawku down on the Bolga -Tema highway and some unknown people fire shots into the bus and injure people. These are things that we are going to make a priority when we come."

The former president added that when his government was in power, they managed to mediate the conflict and calm tensions. 

On the back of this, he assured that when given the political mandate in 2024, his government would once again work towards resolving the conflict and promoting peace.

“We will work hard to resolve the Bawku crisis and bring peace back to Bawku and surrounding areas,” he added.

Mr Mahama continued that armed robbery was also another challenge in the Bawku, therefore he would put in a mechanism to ensure that those involved in the act are arrested and brought to justice.

He added this approach would create a conducive environment for members of the community to go about their livelihood without fear or panic.

“You can’t have economic progress, in an environment of insecurity and so we must make sure that our region is safe and secure. So, that people can go about their businesses without fear of being harmed or killed,” he added.