Security analyst and consultant Dr. Franklyn Kwesi Biney has raised alarms over the escalating Bawku conflict, attributing a significant portion of the unrest to the misuse of social media platforms.
Speaking on ABC Midday News on Monday, April 14, 2025, Dr. Biney highlighted how online platforms have become conduits for spreading hate speech, inciting violence, and sharing graphic content that exacerbates tensions between the Kusasi and Mamprusi communities.
“A key factor fueling the conflict is social media,” Dr. Biney stated. “Users are spreading hate speech, inciting violence, and sharing graphic content.”
He expressed concern over the use of coded language, noting that derogatory terms like “pigs” for Kusasis and “monkeys” for Mamprusis are unfounded and contribute to the conflict’s escalation.
“We need to be very careful with the coded language,” he cautioned.
Dr. Biney also pointed to organized attacks involving killings, gun violence, and the burning of houses and vehicles as factors intensifying the security challenges in Bawku. He urged the National Commission to prevent hate speech, especially on media platforms in the Bawku area.
“Social media platforms must take concrete steps to enforce their community standards and prevent the spread of hate speech and incitement to violence,” he emphasized.
Furthermore, he called for security agencies to develop strategies to effectively respond to the conflict, including improving access to remote areas, engaging with local leaders, and prioritizing dialogue and reconciliation.
The Bawku conflict, rooted in a long-standing chieftaincy dispute, has seen a resurgence of violence in recent years.
The National Peace Council has been actively working to mediate the conflict, urging all factions to lay down arms and engage in peaceful dialogue. Executive Secretary George Amoh emphasized the importance of building trust with the people to achieve lasting peace.
“If we are able to get to the needs, we will be able to get them to get over this conflict. But it takes time,” he noted.
The Council has also expressed concerns over the role of social media in exacerbating the conflict, calling for measures to curb the spread of hate speech and inflammatory content online.
