Amnesty International Ghana (AI Ghana) has called on the Government of Ghana to take decisive action to resolve the ongoing Bawku conflict, ensuring lasting peace and protecting innocent lives. The call was made on Friday, June 27, 2025, in response to the continued violence in the region.
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Demand for Immediate Action – AI Ghana
AI Ghana, a local chapter of the global human rights organisation, emphasised that the lives of people in Bawku are as valuable as those in any other part of the country. Mr. Francis Nyantakyi, the Board Chairman of AI Ghana, urged the government to “end the silence” and take transparent steps to mediate, rebuild trust between the feuding factions, and protect civilians from further harm.
Speaking at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of AI Ghana, Mr Nyantakyi expressed concern about the government’s failure to address the prolonged violence in Bawku, which has resulted in the displacement of families, loss of lives, and a pervasive sense of fear. He criticised the government’s silence and indecisiveness, which he said “speak louder than any statement.”
The Growing Crisis of Illegal Mining
In addition to the Bawku crisis, Mr. Nyantakyi raised alarm about the growing issue of illegal mining in the country. He highlighted the urgent need to address illicit mining not just as an environmental issue but as a significant human rights crisis. The destructive effects of illegal mining, including toxic rivers, contaminated food chains, destroyed farmlands, and collapsing health systems, reflect a failure in leadership and enforcement.
Mr. Nyantakyi also noted the growing danger faced by those who speak out against these practices. Journalists, traditional leaders, and youth activists have been met with harassment, police violence, and laws that silence their efforts to expose the crisis. He urged the government to treat illegal mining as a human rights issue and to demonstrate political will by prosecuting those involved, including financiers and perpetrators of galamsey.
Protecting Free Expression and Strengthening Institutions
Furthermore, Mr. Nyantakyi urged the government to ensure that communities affected by the environmental impact of illegal mining receive adequate compensation and support for rebuilding. He also emphasised the need for legal reforms to prevent law enforcement from being used to suppress free expression and criticism.
Strengthening independent institutions was another key point of Nyantakyi’s speech. He urged that bodies like the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, the National Media Commission, and the Judiciary must be shielded from political interference to effectively carry out their duties and protect the constitutional rights of citizens.
International and Regional Collaboration
The AGM, which took place in Fiapre, near Sunyani, was attended by several prominent figures, including Mrs Easily Nemitz, Board Chair of AI, and Dr Julia Duchrow, Secretary General of AI Germany, along with representatives from AI chapters in Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Côte d’Ivoire. The four-day forum, themed “Resilience in a Restricted Civic Space,” continues to focus on critical human rights issues facing Ghana and the wider region.
Amnesty International Ghana’s call for decisive government action on the Bawku conflict and illegal mining highlights the urgent need for leadership that prioritises peace, human rights, and environmental justice.
