Ghana’s Minister for Defence, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, has pledged that government will reconstruct the iconic Bawku Naba statue, which was destroyed over the weekend in what he described as a “regrettable and unacceptable” act.
Speaking after a durbar at Burma Camp, Dr Boamah said the statue is a symbol of traditional authority and cultural identity in the troubled Bawku area and will be fully restored.
“I condemned the destruction of the cherished statue in Bawku over the weekend,” he wrote in a Facebook post. “I assured that the government shall rebuild the statue and expects appropriate sanctions to be meted out to the perpetrators.”
The minister added that the Defence Ministry is working closely with security agencies to ensure peace and accountability in Bawku, a town that has experienced long-standing tensions.
Dr Boamah also addressed a recent violent incident involving the shooting of two Ghanaian soldiers in the area. He described the attack as a “disturbing escalation” that demands urgent action and justice.
“The Ghana Armed Forces remain committed to protecting lives and maintaining order in every part of the country,” he stressed, urging residents, traditional leaders, and the military to collaborate in restoring calm.
“Let us unite to uphold peace, protect tradition, and strengthen the bonds that hold our nation together,” the Defence Minister appealed.
The government’s firm response comes amid rising concerns over instability in Bawku, with authorities emphasizing both cultural restoration and enhanced security operations as part of a broader peace-building agenda.