Police operations in Bawku have been decentralised to take care of flashpoints in the conflict area, to enforce order.

At least 20 police personnel have now been permanently stationed at each of the flashpoints, namely Zebilla, Binduri, Bugri Corner, Pusiga Garu and Bawku itself, to ensure rapid deployment of personnel. In addition, 32 vehicles, 16 each have been allocated to the police and military in the conflict area.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Patrick Timbilla made this known to the media during a working visit to the area to assess the situation on Monday.

Mr Timbilla, Director-General of Police Operations, discussed with the security personnel the challenges on the ground and advised them to discharge their duties with professionalism to enable them to transform the relative peace into enduring one.

They are enjoined to be neutral to gain the confidence of the people, he told them and added that law-abiding residents could then be used to reach out to others.

They are also required to be wary of people who may attempt to mislead them into partisan politics and chieftaincy disputes stressing that their main concern should be to bring peace to the area.

He said peace will enable the Electoral Commission to conduct free and fair poll in the area during the December general election.

Upper East Police Commander, Ofosu-Mensah Gyeabour, asked the personnel to use diplomacy in the discharge of their duties while remaining resolute and focused.

He appealed to the public to give information that would lead to the arrest of trouble- makers to enhance the achievement of peace.

Abdulai Abanga, Bawku Municipal Chief Executive, later held a meeting with Mr Timbilla and his entourage.

He said the presence of the security personnel in the area and the provision of logistics show the importance the government attaches to the Bawku situation.

He said the National Peace Council, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Peter Cardinal Appiah Turkson was at Bawku last week for three days to interview and interact with 22 individuals and organisations on how to speed up the peace process.