President John Dramani Mahama has raised concerns over calls for military installations in conflict-prone areas, following a request by a traditional ruler for the establishment of a military barracks in the Oti Region.
Speaking during his “Thank You Tour” in Dambai on July 25, President Mahama questioned the need for such infrastructure, emphasizing that the region should prioritize development projects over military presence.
“Why should we be asking for a military barracks? It’s because we’re fighting. What we truly need are hospitals, schools, and jobs—not military camps,” he remarked.
President Mahama linked the ongoing conflict in Nkwanta to wider development challenges in the region, underscoring the need for peace as a foundation for progress.
“All this infrastructure development I’ve talked about cannot take place if we do not have peace,” he stated, stressing that security and stability are essential for growth.
The President advocated for traditional conflict resolution mechanisms, calling on the warring communities to remember their shared heritage and live in harmony.
“Let’s dialogue. Let’s use our traditional mechanisms to establish peace. Because we have to live together,” he urged.
Mahama also pointed out that poverty—not internal strife—should be identified as the real adversary.
“Our common enemy is poverty, not ourselves. We should be fighting poverty, not fighting each other,” he declared.
With security concerns in Nkwanta casting a shadow over development efforts in the Oti Region, the President assured that the government remains committed to providing adequate protection for all citizens.
He concluded with a renewed call for dialogue and peaceful coexistence, reaffirming that only through unity can the region achieve its development goals.
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