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The peacekeeping duties being undertaken by policemen in Bawku could suffer a setback, with the security agents embarking on a seeming hunger strike as their daily GH�4 allowance is stopped and replaced with meals by the authorities. The sulking policemen, drawn from various parts of the country, were already showing signs of dissatisfaction over what they considered an inadequate daily allowance. They were said to have complained about this and even demanded a raise but the authorities complained that there was no money. News about the cessation of what was already considered an inadequate allowance and a replacement with military food ration came to them as a rude shock, hence the rejection of the ration and the embarkation on a hunger strike even as they clutch their rifles in the volatile zone. When Daily Guide called a source within the fold of the security agents, he confirmed the story and said, �Already, the amount of money we were receiving was too meager given the dangers we have been exposed to on a daily basis. For them to totally withdraw the amount and replace it with food ration prepared by the military is unacceptable. As I speak to you, our morale is at an all-time low.� Continuing, the source said all they gathered was that the authorities claim there is lack of funding to take care of the daily GH�4, hence the resort to the military food ration. However, when the Director of Police Public Affairs, DSP Kwesi Ofori was contacted, he said he was not aware about the situation in Bawku, promising to get back to this reporter. But when Daily Guide called again at press time, he was not picking his calls.The food ration is said to be of poor quality and the policemen have pledged to continue with their hunger strike even as they undertake the peacekeeping duties assigned them. Information received suggested that breakfast and lunch, on day one of the food replacement, was rejected by the policemen.How far they can continue to reject the food is uncertain; but what is clear is that the impasse could have a negative impact on the morale of the men. There are squads of policemen deployed from various units of the Ghana Police Service to this Upper East regional town where they are engaged in preventing and containing clashes between the feuding factions.The maintenance of security personnel in conflict is an expensive exercise and governments have always complained about the cost when counseling residents about the need to ensure peace and tranquility in such places. Policemen and the military, specifically a detachment of men from the Ghana Army Airborne Force, undertake joint patrol duties and respond to emergences when skirmishes erupt within their area of jurisdiction within Bawku and its outskirts. The presence of the Military and Police remains the most appropriate response to the intermittent clashes between the Kusasis on one hand and the Mamprusis, Mosis and others on the other. The policemen assigned the Bawku operations are selected from various parts of the country and each duty tour spans between six months and a year, a source told Daily Guide. For now, the hunger strike continues even though there is no sign that the cops are on a mutinous mission.