Minister for Interior, Muntaka Mubarak, has reviewed the earlier curfew hours imposed on Bawku and Nalerigu townships owing to recent attacks.

The earlier curfew that ran from 6am to 2pm has been revised to 6pm to 6am. The minister took this decision after receiving advice from the National Security Council.

The Bawku Municipality in the Upper East Region and the East Mamprusi Municipality in the North East Region are affected.

The curfew has created an environment conducive for the evacuation of all students in various educational institutions in affected areas, some of whom have been unfortunately targeted in the conflict.

Unknown assailants on Saturday evening, July 26, claimed the lives of two male students of Nalerigu Senior High School (SHS) in the Northern Region. According to reports, the armed group stormed the school premises, proceeded to the dormitory, and opened fire on the two students—Lukman and Gideon.

Assembly Member for the Denugu Electoral Area, Dasmani Fuseini, and uncle to one of the deceased students, is said to have confirmed the attack 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.

There is a total ban on all persons in the Nalerigu township and its environs from carrying arms, ammunition, or any offensive weapons. As such, any individual found with any arms or ammunition will be arrested and prosecuted.

The government has called 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.

The government, in a statement issued on July 27, announced that it is stepping up its approach from peacekeeping to peace enforcement in Bawku and other affected areas due to the recent escalation of violence, which could derail the peacebuilding process.

The Ghana Armed Forces have been deployed to maintain law and order and take all necessary measures to protect lives and property. Residents have been advised to fully cooperate with the Ghana Armed Forces to ensure peace.

The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has emphasised that it will employ all the necessary force to ensure peace prevails in Bawku, Upper East Region.In a press release, the Acting Director General of Public Relations, VA Arhin, explained that the new development follows a recent directive by His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama.

According to the military, its new strategies will focus on conflict zone areas, such as Bawku, Binduri, Nalerigu, and Zebilla, to restore calm and prevent further escalation."The Ghana Armed Forces wishes to inform the general public that following the directive by the President of the Republic and Commander-In-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, the Ghana Armed Forces has, with immediate effect, transitioned to peace enforcement has become necessary due to the activities of armed elements that have intermittently resulted in violence, reprisal attacks and innocent deaths highlighting a dangerous pattern that threatens not only Bawku but also the peace and security of our dear Nation.“Ghana Armed Forces operations during this period will be conducted in areas to include Bawku, Binduri, Nalerigu and Zebilla. This peace enforcement phase will see the Military undertake robust and purposeful operations that would enhance community protection, while ensuring sanity returns to affected areas,” parts of the release read.

Earlier, the Minister of Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, indicated that the Ghana Armed Forces 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.

A few weeks ago, a confrontation between some members of the Ghana Armed Forces and locals in Bawku 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, is 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 are 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 its 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.

The government has commended His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for mediating the conflict and appreciates all stakeholders who are supporting the peace process. The Otumfuo mediation, with the genuine help of Nayiri and Zugraana, had almost brought finality to the conflict until the very recent killings, which have necessitated drastic actions to protect all in the interests of the greater good. The government is urging all parties to refrain from violence and support the peace process.