Peter Toobu
Source: Africa Publicity
The Member of Parliament for Ghana’s Wa West Constituency, Peter Lanchene Toobu, who is a retired police officer, is urging the police in Bawku to maintain decisive impartiality amid escalating conflict.
Speaking on Accra-based Joy News’ PM Express program, Mr. Toobu emphasized that neutrality isn’t enough in the face of rising violence and deadly attacks.
He encouraged the police to strictly enforce standard operating procedures, acknowledging the professional hazards they face in such situations. Toobu also extended condolences to the families of victims and the Ghana Police Service following recent fatalities
As a security expert and politician, Toobu’s call for impartiality highlights the need for the police to effectively address the situation without bias. With his background as a retired Superintendent of Police and Member of Parliament for Wa West Constituency, his concerns carry significant weight. Toobu has previously petitioned the Speaker of Parliament to draw the President’s attention to security issues, including armed robbery cases in his constituency and surrounding areas.
Lanchene Toobu urged police personnel to strictly observe safety protocols.
“You don’t go into town alone. You don’t go into town when you are not in uniform. You don’t go into town when you are not permitted by your command,” he said.
“It is restrictive because it has become a red zone. The risk is high, and when the risk is higher, people in uniform must be extremely careful.”
But for Lanchene Toobu, the biggest concern isn’t just the violence, it’s the role of the police in such a tense environment.
“I wouldn’t expect the police not to be neutral. The police should not be neutral in Bawku. They should be impartial,” he stressed.
“Simply put, you are not a friend to any of the feuding parties. You are interested in them coming together and living peacefully.”
His warning was clear: “If A is wrong, say so. If B is wrong, say so. But there shouldn’t be a point where the impartial arbiter — the person who is in the middle to create a buffer to bring peace — becomes a party to the matter and is being attacked. That’s very, very dangerous.”
Peter Lanchene Toobu also raised the alarm over weapons proliferation in the area, suggesting it’s feeding the conflict and putting everyone at risk, especially security personnel.
“We talk about the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons in this country. It is a big challenge,” he said.
“And we all believe that we need to do something very seriously to prevent it, very particularly in a volatile area like Bawku.”
He pointed to broader threats underlying the conflict, including the radicalisation of youth and illegal arms trading.
“It is possible that some people are interested in radicalising the youth. It is possible that people in the arms trade are making a lot of money from the area,” Toobu noted.
His call was for a national-level response to what he sees as a national conflict. “This conflict requires some level of sophistication in handling,” he said. “And that is why I support the President.”
Referring to President John Mahama’s remarks following his swearing-in, Toobu noted, “He said Bawku is a priority, and he demonstrated that.”
He praised the appointment of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to lead a mediation process, saying, “That is the team that will have to drive a solution and bring peace to bear.”
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