Managing Editor of The Herald newspaper, Larry Dogbey, has cautioned against calls for the withdrawal of military personnel from Bawku and surrounding areas, arguing that such a move is not the solution to resolving the protracted conflict in the area.

Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Tuesday, July 15, Mr. Dogbey acknowledged the need for change in the security strategy but emphasised that a complete withdrawal of the military could worsen the situation.

“The withdrawal of the military is not the solution. There should be a change, but not a withdrawal. There should be a constant reshuffle,” he suggested, advocating for a more measured and strategic security approach rather than a vacuum of state protection.

The editor’s remarks come in response to growing calls from Members of Parliament in the Upper East Region, particularly Garu and Zebilla, for the military to be pulled out of the conflict-prone area due to allegations of brutality and bias.

On Monday, July 14, the Member of Parliament for Garu, Dr. Thomas Anaba, called for the immediate removal of the military presence, citing repeated incidents of excessive force against civilians.

He also condemned the reported demolition of a statue of the Zugraan of the Kusaug Traditional Area, Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, by soldiers, describing the act as deeply disrespectful and a potential trigger for renewed unrest.

Adding to the concerns, the Member of Parliament for Zebilla, Ebenezer Ndebilla, alleged that the current military deployment in Bawku has been compromised and no longer enjoys the trust of the local population, accusing the deployed troops of harbouring intentions to harm the Overlord of the Kusaug area and demanded an immediate withdrawal and replacement of the contingent.

He called for the full reinstatement of the destroyed statue, an independent investigation into the actions of the deployed soldiers, and appropriate sanctions for any personnel found to have acted unlawfully.

The Bawku conflict, rooted in longstanding chieftaincy disputes, has been a recurring flashpoint in Ghana’s Upper East Region.

While various interventions have been made over the years, including military deployments to enforce peace and the intervention of the Asantehene Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II, community mistrust of security forces and sporadic violence have continued to undermine stability.