Upper East Regional Minister, it is broadcast of the REGSEC suggestion of a revision of the Bawku curfew (6pm to 6am) that is a cause for concern

The Upper East Regional Minister (RM) held a meeting with representatives of radio stations from Bolgatanga, Bawku, Garu and Zebilla at the Regional Coordinating Council on 30th November, 2021, between 11.30 am and 12.45 pm.

At 2.30 pm, an “untouchable radio” station in Bawku broadcast a behind- close- door discussion that REGSEC had recommended to the Interior Minister that the Bawku curfew should be revised to take effect from 6pm to 6 am. That is a cause for concern.

Was the RM’s meeting with the Managers of the radio stations a belated initiative?

The highlight of RM’s meeting was that he will monitor and deal ruthlessly with any radio station which uses its platform to fuel the Bawku conflict.

Why was the RM now holding such a meeting and issuing such an advisory?

An untouchable Bawku Radio Station

If the RM’s ears had been on the ground, he would have become aware of the “untouchable” Bawku radio station which was established merely a year ago, but which was raising tensions by attacking a chief of one of the ethnic groups, and projecting a rival ethnic group as having the rightful original chief.

Furthermore, the RM would have become aware that factions on both sides of the conflict have been using social media to insult and threaten each other. And that they use faceless accounts on Facebook, and circulate voice recordings on WhatsApp.

Even though the persons behind these messages seem unknown, the RM would have become aware that this particular Bawku radio station blatantly broadcasts these hate messages.

He would have been aware that this Bawku Radio station continues to broadcast provocative content with impunity.

The RM would have become aware that eight (8) other stations in the catchment area were getting tempted to join the fray to broadcast similar hate speech.

Was this the RM’s reason for quickly calling a meeting of political actors in the region and the Bawku Central constituency on 29th November, 2021, at which they stated clearly their concerns with misinformation on a particular Bawku radio station?

Revising the Bawku Curfew- 6pm-6am

Under what circumstances was the REGSEC recommendation to the Minister of Interior to revise the Bawku curfew to 6 PM to 6 AM broadcast on this particular Bawku radio station?

For the RM’s information, no one was amused with the excuse of so-called leaks that cause unsuccessful raids by the Police Cybersecurity Unit on people behind the fake social media accounts.

Military-Civilian relations in Bawku

As Chairman of REGSEC, the RM would have been aware of the following account of the unhappiness of some Bawku residents with the Military:

“The military never stopped the Mamprusis from attacking the Kusasis. It was only when the defence/counter attack was more than expected, and to protect the lives of those Mamprusi men, that the military rushed in to scatter the Kusasis. This helped the Mamprusis move into their den.”

I was surprised to note a circulation of this impression about the Military, because some Citizens have noted some of the non- kinetic activities and programs initiated by the Military High Command to foster relations between the Military and people of Karaga and the catchment areas of their Barracks and Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) at Tumu and Bawku-Mognori..

The RM may wish to find out from his Regional Army Commander whether the Military redeemed the pledge of the Chief of Defence Staff to paint the girls dormitory of the Bawku Secondary Technical School.

When he checks http://gafoline.mil.gh, you would notice a publication of some nice community relations initiatives by the Military in the Bawku- Mognori operation area.

It was reported on 28th May, 2021 that, “the Chief of Defence of Staff (CDC), Vice Admiral Seth Amoama has commended Students and Staffs of the Bawku Senior High Technical School for their steadfastness and commitment to the Ghana Armed Forces and urged the students to be discipline (sic) and truthful to their teachers at all time.”

According to the report, “the CDS as part of Exercise Eagle’s Claws 2021 donated boxes of Sanitary Pads, Boxes of Stationaries, Boxes of Soap and detergents, Cartons of soft drinks and Cartons of Mineral Water worth GHC 12,000 at a short ceremony held at the administration block on Thursday, 27th May, 2021, at Mognori in the Upper East Region.”

What was not published by the GAF was a pledge by the CDS to have the girls dormitory painted.

Indeed, as sources in the the school revealed to me when I visited on 11th September, 2021, some soldiers went to the school to take estimates for the painting of the girls dormitory. However, from May 27th when the CDC made his pledge till the date of my visit there had not been a redemption of the CDC’s pledge.

It is worth pointing out that community relations and corporate social responsibility are very important External Affairs remits of any serious organization. And the Ghana Armed Forces ought to take such non-kinectic exercises seriously as they foster good Military-Civilian relations.

I shall return.

Owula Mangortey
Dodowa
1st December, 2021

Note:
Owula Mangortey appears on Fridays (8:30-10:00 (on #asaasebreakfastshow @AsaaseRadio 99.5 FM