Security analyst Emmanuel Kotin has appealed to political parties, especially the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), to desist from politicising efforts aimed at restoring peace in Bawku, following criticism directed at the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno.

 Mr. Kotin defended the IGP’s recent comments during a tour of Bawku, where Dr. Yohuno pledged to prioritise the youth in the area for future police recruitment — a gesture aimed at promoting peace and trust in the conflict-hit municipality.

“Today, you realise that just a simple question was asked of the IGP, and in response, he said he would prioritise employing Bawku youths into the Police Service.

The Minority held a press conference as a result.

These pressers are increasingly becoming one-two-minute stunts and are losing their intended effect,” Mr. Kotin noted.

He praised the IGP’s approach as a culturally sensitive and diplomatic form of policing, tailored to the complex socio-ethnic dynamics of the area.

“To me, the IGP has taken policing to another level by bringing diplomacy to bear, being mindful of the cultural and emotional sensitivities, given the heavy losses on both sides,” he said.

Responding to suggestions of ethnic bias, Kotin questioned the basis of the backlash, clarifying that the IGP’s comments were inclusive of all youth in the area, regardless of ethnic affiliation.

“When he said he would prioritise youth, did he say Kusasi or Mamprusi?

Are they not all from Bawku?” he asked.

“It’s not everything we must play politics with.

People have suffered for far too long.”

Mr. Kotin also referenced similar region-focused recruitment efforts in Ghana’s past, stressing that such initiatives aim to address historic marginalisation rather than foster bias.

“The people of Bawku are suffering. They haven’t enjoyed the national cake like the rest of us because of this conflict.

If the IGP is pleading with them to let peace prevail, what’s so wrong with that?” he added.

In a sharp rebuke to the Minority’s recent press conference, Kotin accused the NPP of premature political posturing.

“For Christ’s sake, the Minority are behaving as if they’ve been in opposition for 10 years.

It’s been just three months since they left office, after governing for eight good years.

What did they do to resolve the conflict?” he asked.

He urged leaders across the political divide to exercise restraint and support the ongoing peacebuilding process, highlighting the unique position of former Vice President and Mamprugu native, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

“I thought that with Dr. Bawumia as a son of the Mamprusi and a former Presidential Candidate of the NPP, that would be a turning point for peace-building.

This is the time for both sides to step back, listen, and work together,” he said.

Mr. Kotin concluded by urging respect for traditional authorities like the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and his peace delegation, who have been mediating in the long-standing conflict.

“I plead with both the NPP and NDC to consider the good people of Bawku. They have suffered long enough. Depoliticise the tensions and allow the Otumfuo and his team to do their work,” he stated.

The IGP, during his visit, reiterated the police administration’s commitment to restoring peace and security in Bawku and to fostering stronger ties between law enforcement and local communities — a move analysts like Kotin believe could enhance trust and cooperation in the restive region.

He spoke in an interview on Accra-based 3FM’s Hot Edition with Alfred Ocansey.