Member of Parliament for Abetifi, Dr Bryan Acheampong, has filed a motion in Parliament calling for a comprehensive, state-led intervention to address the worsening security situation in Bawku, describing the ongoing crisis as a national emergency.
The urgent motion, filed on Tuesday, 29th July 2025, seeks an Emergency Debate in the House to compel Parliament to issue a decisive national directive in response to the escalating violence and breakdown of public order in the Upper East town.
“Bawku cannot be treated as a regional or isolated concern,” Dr Acheampong stated. “It is a test of the state’s capacity to protect its people, and Parliament must rise to meet it.”
As Ranking Member of the Committee on Security and Intelligence, Dr Acheampong argued for broad institutional coordination beyond routine security deployments. His proposals include enhanced protection for educational institutions, inter-regional security planning, and justice mechanisms to address deep-seated grievances fuelling the conflict.
The Bawku crisis has deteriorated in recent weeks, with multiple reports of civilian casualties, school closures, and growing fear among residents. Despite ongoing military operations and the imposition of curfews, the violence persists, displacing families and paralysing local governance structures.
Dr Acheampong’s motion represents one of the most assertive parliamentary efforts yet to bring national focus to the conflict. He warned that without coordinated state action, the violence could spill over into neighbouring regions and further erode public trust in Ghana’s national institutions.
“This is the time for comprehensive, not cosmetic action,” he stressed. “Parliament must not observe from a distance. It must lead.”
The Speaker of Parliament is expected to rule on the admissibility of the motion within the week. If approved, it could pave the way for one of the most urgent national security debates in the current session.
