Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Kusaug enclave in the Upper East Region, on Tuesday, condemned the brutalities meted out by some soldiers on residents of Bawku on Sunday, July 13, 2025.
The attack reportedly left six civilians dead, dozens injured, and properties worth millions of Ghana Cedi destroyed.
The legislators accused the Military of ethnic bias, claiming the soldiers looted shops and targeted innocent Kusasi residents under the pretext of responding to a gun attack on a military-escorted vehicle.
“Apart from the precious innocent lives that the military ended, the destruction of property running into tens of millions of Ghana cedi, the military in a needless but spiteful hate against Kusasis, pulled down the statue of the overlord, Zugraan Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, and set it ablaze in a pointless revolutionary style,” the legislators claimed.
Addressing a presser at the Parliament House on Monday, Madam Lydia Lamisi Akanvsriba, the MP for Tempane, who led the Caucus, empathised with two injured soldiers in the initial attack, however, criticised the Military’s retaliation, describing it as” excessive and indiscriminate”.
“We condemn the vicious and dastardly response of the military in Bawku in no uncertain terms, “Madam Akavarimba said.
She added that similar acts of alleged military brutality in Bawku had gone unpunished in the past and called the July 13 events a continuation of a pattern of soldiers’ abuses.
The MPs outlined a six-point demand to the government and the Ghana Armed Forces, which including a formal apology to the Zugraan and people of Kusaug.
The legislators called for the prosecution of the soldiers involved in the July 13 assault, and Immediate overhaul of military and security deployments in Bawku.
They also called for proper screening of future security personnel that would be assigned to the area.
There should be a intelligence-led operations, instead of brute force.
The Military must rebuild the destroyed statue of the chief, full compensation to the families of victims, and reimbursement for property damage.
“The Ghana Armed Forces should adopt proper intelligence gathering to deal with security threats and avoid their age-long unproductive style of always having to use a sledgehammer to kill a mosquito,” she stated.
She urged the constituents, especially the youth, to remain calm despite the pain and provocation.
“We are equally hurt and pained… Please know that we stand fully with you in your anger. However, we urge restraint,” Madam Akanvariba pleaded.
The MPs assured their constituents that efforts were underway to seek redress at the highest levels of national leadership.
The MPs renewed their support for the ongoing mediation efforts led by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and appealed to Asantehene to expedite his intervention to de-escalate the conflict in Kusaug.
“We are hopeful that his pronouncements will ease the tension in Kusaug and restore some calm,” Madam Akanvariba said.
GNA
