Former Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Joseph Ade Coker, has observed that the conflict situation in Bawku keeps escalating largely due to youth unemployment.
According to him, the area, which is mainly a farming community, is grappling with drought and a high birth rate, resulting in deepening poverty.
Speaking on Accra-based Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Monday, April 14, the NDC stalwart noted that employment is the best tool to keep the youth engaged and limit their involvement in the violence.
“Most of the youth in the Bawku area are unemployed. In those areas, the birth rate is very, very high, and it is not commensurate with the employment situation. As they keep growing, they don’t get work to do. This is supposed to be a farming community, and unfortunately, because of drought, they have neglected the agricultural sector. So these are idle hands,” he explained.
His comments come after the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, appealed to the youth of Bawku to abandon violence and support efforts to restore peace in the troubled town.
Speaking during a visit to the area on Friday, April 11, the IGP assured the youth that they would be given priority in future police recruitment exercises as part of efforts to foster peace and restore trust in law enforcement.
“We assure you that when it comes to recruitment, we’ll give the people of Bawku priority. We’ll give the youth of Bawku priority. A special team will come here to do special recruitment for the youth,” he stated.
