Carrying arms, ammunition, or any offensive weapons in the Nalerigu and Bawku Townships and their environs has been banned by the government.
The government has warned that anyone who flouts the directive will face immediate arrest and prosecution without exception.
On Sunday, July 27, curfew hours was imposed on Nalerigu Township and its environs in the North East Region from 2:00 pm to 6:00 am by the Minister for the Interior, on the advice of the North East Regional Security Council and by Executive Instrument.
“Government calls on the Chiefs, Elders, Opinion Leaders, Youth and people of the area to exercise restraint in the face of the challenges confronting them as well as to use non-violent means to channel their energies into ensuring peace,” a statement said.
However, on Sunday, July 27 the curfew hours have been reviewed for Bawku Municipality and its environs in the Upper East Region from 2:00 pm to 6:00 am.
“Meanwhile, there is a total ban on all persons in the Bawku Municipality and its environs from carrying arms, ammunition or any offensive weapons and any persons found with any arms or ammunition will be arrested and prosecuted,” another statement said.
The restrictions in these areas is stemmed from a recent shooting incident that occurred at the Nalerigu Senior High School on Saturday evening, July 26.
On Saturday evening, July 26, two male students of Nalerigu Senior High School (SHS) in the Northern Region; Lukman and Gideon were shot dead by unknown assailants.
The armed group reportedly invaded the school premises, making their to the dormitory, and opened fire on the victims.
The shooting incident was disclosed by the Assembly Member for the Denugu Electoral Area, Dasmani Fuseini who is said to be an uncle to one of the deceased students while speaking to the media.
The remains of the deceased students are in the custody of the police at the time of reporting. The families are working to retrieve the bodies for burial.
The Police have commenced an investigation into the murder of the students that has been linked to the renewed Bawku conflict.
Management of Nalerigu Senior High School is yet to officially comment on the matter as school students mourn the loss of their colleagues. Also, communities close to the second cycle institutions are in a state of shock.Meanwhile, Minister of Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, has indicated that the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) is fully prepared to contain any form of escalation in Bawku and its surrounding areas.
Providing an update on the state of his sector on Monday, July 21, he acknowledged the tense situation in Bawku but assured that the military has implemented strong and effective security measures to respond to any threats and maintain stability.
“We acknowledge that the situation in Bawku and Alavanyo and their immediate surroundings remains volatile. The Ghana Armed Forces is actively monitoring and has put in place robust mechanisms to ensure any potential escalation is swiftly contained in the interest of the people and long-lasting resolution of the conflict through dialogue,” he said.
He warned that any individuals or groups who take advantage of the conflict to commit crimes will face strict action from the authorities.“In doing so, we shall always separate crimes from traditional matters, enabling us to deal appropriately and legally with criminals who foment trouble in the name of chieftaincy conflict,” he said.
The Minister’s remarks come a few weeks after a recent altercation in Bawku, where a confrontation between some members of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) and locals resulted in the death of five civilians and the destruction of a statue of the Bawku Naba, Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II.
The reconstruction of the statue is expected to begin in the coming days, following a directive from His Excellency, President John Dramani Mahama. The statue, which was erected in 2024, in honour of the Zugraan (Overlord) of the Kusaug Traditional Area, Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, a culturally revered figure in Bawku.
It served as a strong emblem of tradition and communal pride.The reconstruction of the statue is expected to begin in the coming days, following a directive from His Excellency, President John Dramani Mahama.
Minister of Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, in collaboration with other security agencies, has been tasked with overseeing the process as well as restoring calm in the area.
“To assure that His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama the Commander in Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), remains committed to bringing an end to decades-old conflict.
“To address, the recent happenings the National Security Coordinator, myself, the Minister for the Interior, the Chief of the Defence Staff and the IGP have all been tasked to play coordinated but differentiated roles to ensure that peace and calm is restored immediately and this includes restoration of the statue of the Zugran of the Kusasis traditional area,” he added.
According to him, the government is working with security to contain the situation and protect lives and property. “I have directed thorough investigations into the recent matter and promised to take swift action based on recommendations,” he said.
On Tuesday, July 15, some Members of Parliament in the Upper East area called for the prosecution of the soldiers involved and compensation for the victims.
Bawku, which had remained relatively peaceful for a period, saw conflict erupt once more in late 2024.The resurgence of violence was largely sparked by the return of Alhaji Seidu Abagre, a Mamprusi chief who had been enskinned in 2022, only to be exiled later when his enskinment was ruled illegal. His return to Bawku followed the withdrawal of an arrest warrant against him by a Kumasi High Court in October 2024, reigniting tensions between the Kusasi and Mamprusi communities.The renewed violence has resulted in deadly confrontations, including attacks on both civilians and security forces. In May, the government renewed the curfew in Bawku Municipality and it’s surrounding areas in the Upper East Region through an Executive Instrument.
The Minister, in a statement, urged chiefs, elders, opinion leaders, youth, and residents to remain calm and use peaceful, non-violent means to address the challenges facing the area and work towards lasting peace.
The government also reminded the public that there is a total ban on the possession of arms, ammunition, or any offensive weapons in the area. Anyone found in violation will be arrested and prosecuted.
On April 15, Otumfuo formally announced that the critical mediation sessions would take place from April 28 to May 1 at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi. However, it was postponed due to the complexity of the dispute in the locality.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s involvement in the peace process has been met with widespread approval, with many hopeful that his leadership will play a critical role in restoring peace and stability to the troubled Bawku region.
Colonel Festus Aboagye (Retired), a distinguished security expert, has called for greater support for Otumfuo’s initiative, stressing the importance of embracing multi-track diplomacy to strengthen the peace process.Colonel Aboagye urged a more inclusive approach to the mediation, calling for the involvement of various national stakeholders such as diaspora leaders, youth advocates, and women’s peacebuilding networks.
He believes that a broader, multi-dimensional strategy will result in a more sustainable and inclusive solution to the conflict.
“Support Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s mediation through multi-track diplomacy, incorporating diaspora leaders, youth influencers, and women’s peacebuilding networks,” he proposed.
He also cautioned that traditional diplomatic efforts alone might not be enough to resolve the deep divisions that have fueled the protracted conflict. Meanwhile, GAF has called on residents and the wider public to cooperate with ongoing security operations, as efforts to restore normalcy in the region.
