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By Samuel Asamoah
The National Chairman of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Samson Asaki Awingobit, has accused Members of Parliament from the Kusaug area of failing their constituents by remaining silent and inactive in the face of renewed military brutality in Bawku.
In a strongly worded press statement released on Wednesday, Mr. Awingobit, a native of the Kusaug Kingdom, described the conduct of the six MPs representing Bawku Central, Bawku West, Binduri, Pusiga, Garu, and Tempane as “shameful” and a “betrayal of the highest order.” He singled out Bawku Central MP and Majority Leader, Hon. Mahama Ayariga, as the leader of what he called a “weak and disgraceful caucus.”
The PNC Chairman expressed outrage over the latest wave of violence in Bawku, allegedly involving excessive military force against civilians. He also condemned what he described as the demolition of a revered statue of the Zugraan Bawku Naba, His Royal Highness Asigri Abugrago Azoka II—a move he said symbolized an attack on the culture, identity, and dignity of the Kusaug people.
“Nothing can justify the brute, excessive, and unprovoked force unleashed by the military upon our people. This attack is not just on civilians; it is a direct assault on the soul of our Kingdom,” Mr. Awingobit said.
According to him, the MPs’ failure to visit affected families, show solidarity with the Bawku Naba, or take any strong parliamentary action such as a walkout or demand for an independent investigation is an indication that they have abandoned their responsibilities.
“These are men and women we entrusted with our votes, believing they would stand in our defence in times of need. Yet, when our people were brutalized and stripped of their dignity, these MPs sat comfortably in Accra, issuing press statements instead of showing leadership,” he noted.
Mr. Awingobit also criticized Hon. Mahama Ayariga for allegedly admitting he feared returning to Bawku.
“If he cannot walk the streets of Bawku without fear, then he has clearly lost the trust of his constituents and must re-evaluate his leadership,” he said.
He called on the MPs to immediately reconnect with the people they represent, repair broken trust, and take bold steps to demand justice and accountability from the military. He warned that if they failed to do so, they had no business holding office.
“Leadership requires courage, not convenience. If our MPs cannot rise to the occasion when our very identity and dignity are under assault, then they must step aside,” he declared.
Mr. Awingobit also appealed to the youth in Bawku to remain calm and avoid retaliatory attacks on police-escorted vehicles, emphasizing that such actions only escalate tensions and provide justification for further military action.
“We cannot win peace with revenge. Let us not play into the hands of those who seek to keep Bawku in a perpetual state of conflict,” he said.
The statement has stirred debate on political representation in conflict-prone areas and raised fresh questions about the effectiveness of elected leaders in addressing security and human rights violations in the Upper East Region.
