The Minister of State for Public Sector Reforms, Lydia Lamisi Akanvariba, has strongly condemned the alleged actions of military personnel following reports of brutality on residents in Bawku.
This incident was reportedly in response to the killing of a soldier by unidentified gunmen on Monday, March 17, 2025.
The alleged retaliation occurred during curfew hours on Tuesday, March 18, when officers from the 11th Mechanized Battalion were said to have stormed homes in Bawku.
Reports suggest that several residents were subjected to severe beatings, and property was destroyed in what appeared to be retaliatory measures.
Expressing her concern, Madam Akanvariba decried the recurring instances of military brutality, emphasizing the military’s primary duty to protect citizens.
“The armed forces exist to ensure the safety and protection of Ghanaians, not to harm them. Such actions undermine public trust and the very values the armed forces stand for”.
The Member of Parliament for Tempane also called for swift action by the Ghana Armed Forces to hold perpetrators accountable and provide compensation for the victims and their families.
Madam Akanvariba further called on state institutions to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident, emphasizing the need for concrete measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.
“This incident should serve as a wake-up call for reform. We must ensure that such alleged abuses of power do not recur”.
