There comes a time in the life of a nation when silence in the face of danger becomes complicity. That moment is now.
Ghana is witnessing a surge in lawlessness, particularly among the youth in certain parts of the country, who are increasingly resorting to violence to express grievances.
This trend, if not addressed decisively, poses a direct threat to our national cohesion, peace, and democratic future.
Recent developments in Bawku are a stark and painful reminder of how quickly disorder can escalate. Reports of houses being torched and people shot have become alarmingly frequent.
In a shocking turn, even the convoy of the Inspector General of Police was allegedly shot at during his visit to the area. This is not just unacceptable—it is intolerable.
No grievance—be it political, ethnic, or administrative—justifies the kind of destruction and loss of life we are witnessing.
Ghana cannot and must not allow a situation where violence becomes a default mode of protest or a negotiating tactic. The damage done to lives, property, and the national psyche is too grave, too costly, and too dangerous.
Even more troubling is the apparent perception that violent action brings swift attention or response.
A recent public statement attributed to the IGP has raised concerns about the unintentional impression that communities plagued by unrest are more likely to receive government engagement or intervention.
This must be addressed and clarified beyond what has been done. We cannot afford to create a rewards system for instability.
The violent opposition to government decisions, particularly with regard to appointments of District Chief Executives (DCEs) and Municipal Chief Executives (MCEs), has become disturbingly common.
In a democracy, dissent is not only allowed—it is expected. But that dissent must be lawful, respectful, and civil. Storming assemblies, destroying property, and threatening lives are not acts of political consciousness; they are acts of criminality.
We must now ask ourselves some hard questions:
What kind of society are we building when indiscipline is tolerated?
How do we expect peace when illegal arms continue to circulate freely in the hands of untrained civilians?
And where are we headed if acts of violence are met with appeasement rather than accountability?
What must be done?
Immediate and Strategic Security Deployment:
A visible, intelligence-driven security presence is required in all known trouble zones. Preventive policing must replace reactive responses.
National Public Education Campaigns:
From schools to marketplaces, mosques to churches, there must be a coordinated effort to preach peace, civic responsibility, and lawful conduct. The public must understand that violence begets nothing but pain and regression.
Review of Existing Legal Frameworks:
Laws must be updated to reflect current realities. Stiffer penalties should be instituted for individuals and groups who engage in violent acts under the guise of protest or advocacy.
Accountability Without Exceptions:
Whether the violence is fueled by chieftaincy disputes, political discontent, or traditional rivalries, no individual or group should be treated with undue leniency. The law must be applied firmly and fairly.
Stronger Role for Traditional Authorities:
Chiefs and local leaders must be reminded of their moral obligation to ensure peace in their communities. Where there is no peace, there can be no development. And where there is no development, the people suffer most.
The situation at hand requires more than statements. It calls for leadership—decisive, compassionate, but unyielding in its resolve to uphold the rule of law. Violence must never be normalised. We must restore the value of dialogue, lawful protest, and peaceful disagreement.
If we fail to act now, we risk creating a nation where armed gangs and violent youth movements become the new power brokers. That is not the Ghana our forebears envisioned, and it must not be the Ghana we hand over to future generations.
Let us come together—as leaders, citizens, and communities—to reject this culture of impunity and reassert the primacy of peace and order. Ghana deserves no less.
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Choose Peace, Not Fire: A Message to Ghana’s Youth on the Power of Lawful Change
Dear Yonng People of Ghana,
Our country needs you—now more than ever. But not as warriors of destruction. Not as torchbearers of violence. And not as the foot soldiers of chaos.
Ghana is bleeding in places like Bawku. Homes are being burned, people are being shot, and communities are being torn apart.
Just recently, reports emerged that the vehicle of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) was allegedly shot at in Bawku. That’s not activism—that’s anarchy. And it must stop.
There is nothing empowering about violence. Destroying property, carrying weapons, or setting things on fire doesn’t make your message stronger—it makes it illegitimate.
It pushes away potential allies and brings only suffering to your own community. Whether the issue is a local government appointment, a chieftaincy dispute, or political dissatisfaction, violence will never be the solution.
So, what is the way forward?
We must rediscover the strength of peace. And peace is not weakness. It takes more courage to walk away from a fight than to throw the first punch. It takes more wisdom to negotiate than to burn. Peace is what builds schools, clinics, and jobs—not bullets or barricades.
To our politicians and public officials: the youth are frustrated. They feel ignored, sidelined, and dismissed. But let us be clear—these frustrations cannot and should not be allowed to boil over into lawlessness. Leadership must include listening.
It must include fair and transparent decisions, especially around sensitive matters like the appointment of DCEs and MCEs. But when things go wrong, they must be addressed through lawful channels—not with stones, matches, and guns.
To our traditional and religious leaders: we need your voice now more than ever. You have the influence to calm tempers, unite feuding factions, and guide the next generation toward a path of dignity and peace.
Remind your communities that where there is no peace, development cannot take root. And where development fails, poverty reigns.
To the security agencies: we urge fairness, firmness, and integrity. Enforce the law without fear or favour. Stop the violence before it starts. But do so with professionalism and a deep respect for human rights.
To my fellow Ghanaians: let us not glorify violence by giving in to it. Let us not reward those who burn and kill with special attention or appeasement. That only emboldens others and teaches the wrong lesson.
The future of Ghana lies in dialogue, not destruction. In compromise, not combat. In the power of peaceful protest, not the politics of fear.
We need…
- Sustained youth engagement.Create more platforms where young people can speak and be heard.
- Civic education.Teach our youth the power and process of lawful action.
- Tough but fair laws.Make it clear that those who destroy will be held accountable.
- A spiritual reawakening.We need faith in something greater—God, country, and community.
Let me leave you with this: Ghana is not a finished project. It is a work in progress. And you, the youth, are the builders. But what will you build—with bricks of peace or ashes of violence?
The choice is yours. Choose peace. Choose law. Choose Ghana.
