Security and Safety Analyst Dr. Adam Bonaa has stated that the decision by the Chief Justice to close down courts within the Bawku conflict zone indefinitely has driven the already chaotic zone into a state of anarchy.

Speaking to GhanaWeb TV’s George Ayisi in an interview, Dr. Bonaa raised concerns over the impact of the closure of the courts on justice delivery, law, and order amidst the heightened security situation in Bawku.

“Now the CJ says courts within the area are all closed down. It means that the state is failing these people. It means that if somebody slaps you and the police arrest him, what are they going to do? Because the law says don’t keep a suspect beyond 48 hours. What the CJ has done in Bawku is tantamount to saying there is all-out chaos in Bawku… we just descended into anarchy. You know, the Moses Law; an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth,” he stated.

On October 29, the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Gertrude Torkornoo, ordered courts in the Upper East Region to close down.

The decision was to protect lawyers and stakeholders of the judiciary in the region, given the volatile security situation in the area.

However, according to Dr. Bonaa, the decision by the Chief Justice failed to consider the impact on law and order as recent clashes had led to the death of several individuals.

Meanwhile, the Chief Justice, according to a memo dated November 8, 2024, has ordered the reopening of four courts in the area, namely, the Bolgatanga High Court, the Bolgatanga Circuit Court, the Bolgatanga District Court, and the Bongo District Court.

GA/KA

Watch George Ayisi’s interview with Adam Bonaa on the recent unrest in Bawku below: