GAF to Retrieve Unauthorized Weapons in Bawku as Chief of Army Staff Vows a Crackdown on Troublemakers

The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has sent a strong signal that it will embark on targeted operations in the volatile Upper East Region town of Bawku to retrieve unauthorized weapons from civilian possession.

The operation will be part of intensified efforts to restore peace and security in Bawku.

The Chief of the Army Staff, Major General Lawrence Kwaku Gbetanu, made this announcement during a press briefing at the end of his official visit to Bawku on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. 

According to the Chief of Army Staff, security forces on the ground have been directed to undertake deliberate and targeted special operations to locate and retrieve all illegal weapons as part of broader efforts to curb escalating violence.

These operations come amid rising concerns over the persistent hostilities and targeted killings in the Bawku enclave, including attacks on security personnel deployed to maintain peace in the area.

“The Ghana Armed Forces condemns all the killings and cowardly acts in no uncertain terms,” the Army Chief stated, emphasizing the unwavering commitment of the military to protecting lives and restoring order in Bawku.

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In a stern warning to those inciting trouble in Bawku and the surrounding districts, the Army Chief cautioned that their days are numbered.

“Any attack on innocent civilians or our military personnel will be considered an act of extremism and will be met with the deliberate full strength and resolve of our forces,” he declared. “There will be no safe haven for those who choose the path of violence. Justice will be served.”

Major General Gbetanu also urged the youth and all parties involved in the conflict to lay down their arms and embrace peaceful dialogue as the only sustainable path to coexistence and development.

“Your future does not lie in bloodshed, but in building, learning, and growing your country,” he said.

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The visit to Bawku marked the Chief of Army Staff’s first official trip outside Accra since assuming office.

He held discussions with the Traditional Council, headed by the Bawku Naba, seeking their support in urging the youth to exercise restraint and cooperate with security agencies.