The National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons, peace must prevail before the weapons may be taken out of Bawku.
According to Mr. Gyebi Asante, the Director in charge of Policy Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation, stated that the strategy of obtaining weapons in exchange for cash should not to be encouraged as a way to resolve the crisis in Bawku.
However In an interview on JoyNews’ The Probe on Sunday, January 22, he said this strategy can only be practiced in a situation with peace and not conflict.
As of right now, no amount of cash you pay them will persuade them to hand over the weapons because they are so dependent on them. They either bring the weaponry or bring the cash to buy a more sophisticated weapon, which would put them in a stronger fighting position. They wouldn't bring it if it weren't... We argue that selling weapons for cash is inappropriate as a strategy," he added.
His comments are in reaction to the tragic clashes in Bawku, which has resulted in six deaths and several injuries. It has been suggested that weapons be taken from Bawku in order to put an end to the conflict between the rival factions thereby bringing about peace.
One of the main causes of the ongoing violence in Bawku, according to Dr. Victor Doke, a lecturer at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), is the abundance of arms in the area.
He argues that people may now easily obtain firearms and other weapons, making it easier for them to engage in violent acts.
He probed "What have the state institutions done to ensure that illegal weapons in Bawku are retrieved? You cannot have weapons in the system and expect there to be peace."
In the intervening time, a ceasefire has been issued by the Peace Council in an effort to avert the violence in the town.
To encourage dialogue between the rival groups, the Council solicits the support of numerous stakeholders.
"I leverage the voice of the National Chief Imam to call on people of Bawku to look at the spirit of peace as established in our language to silence the gun, break the cycle of vengeance, and explore opportunity for negotiated peace through dialogue," said Sheikh Armeyaw Shaibu, speaking on behalf of the Peace Council.
