The Interior Ministry has announced a curfew on Gulumpe township and its surrounding communities in the Kintampo North Municipality of the Bono East Region.

This comes after escalating tensions and security threats stemming from chieftaincy disputes in the area.

The Ministry, in a statement dated October 21 and signed by Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, explained that the rising tensions have necessitated an indefinite curfew, which takes effect the same day at 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., and was announced through an Executive Instrument upon the advice of the National Security Council.

This, the Minister said, is aimed at restoring calm and preventing further escalation of violence in the area.

To ensure compliance, the Ministry listed new and strict regulations, including a,

“Total ban on carrying firearms, ammunition, or any offensive weapons, and any person found with any firearms or ammunition will be arrested and prosecuted. No two or more persons should be seen on motorbikes throughout the day. No war regalia should be worn throughout the day,” warning that any violations by persons would lead to arrest and prosecution.

He appealed to residents, particularly traditional authorities, youth, and opinion leaders, to remain calm and resolve their differences through dialogue rather than confrontation.

“The government continues to urge chiefs, opinion leaders, youth, and the people of the area to exercise restraint in the face of the challenges confronting them and to use non-violent means to channel their energies into ensuring peace in the area,” the statement said.

The government reiterated its commitment to maintaining law and order while working with local authorities and security agencies to restore lasting peace in the Gulumpe area.

In a related development, the Ministry of the Interior in September announced an adjustment to the curfew hours in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba Township and surrounding communities in the Savannah Region.

The revised curfew, set from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. daily, was adjusted to take effect on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.

This replaces the earlier curfew, which was enforced on Wednesday, August 27, and ran from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. each day.

In a statement signed by Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, the Ministry explained that the decision was based on the advice of the Regional Security Council and implemented by Executive Instrument as part of efforts to maintain peace and security in the area.

It added that "Government continues to urge chiefs, opinion leaders, youth, and people of the area to exercise restraint in the face of the challenges confronting them and to use non-violent means to channel their energies into ensuring peace in the area.”

The directive further reminded residents of specific rules that must be strictly observed. It stated that there is a complete ban on carrying firearms, ammunition, or offensive weapons, and anyone found guilty will be arrested and prosecuted.

It also prohibited two or more persons from riding together on a motorbike during the day. In addition, it strictly forbade the wearing of war regalia.

The curfew was imposed in response to recent land disputes that have heightened security threats in the area.

Last month, President John Mahama initiated steps to restore peace in the Sawla-Bole area of the Savannah Region following renewed tensions between the Gonja and Brifor communities.

Upon his return from a state visit to Singapore, the President received a full briefing from the National Security Coordinator and the Minister for the Interior on the latest developments in the conflict.

While abroad, Mr. Mahama held a telephone conversation with the King of Gonja, Yagbonwura Jira Bikunuto Jewu Soale I, during which they discussed measures to end the clashes and foster lasting peace in the area.

As part of efforts to de-escalate the situation, the President has dispatched a government delegation led by the Minister for the Interior, Hon. Muntaka Mohamed-Mubarak, to engage the Yagbonwura and other key stakeholders.

Meanwhile, security has been reinforced with the deployment of additional police and military personnel to the conflict zone. President Mahama has urged all parties to support the peace initiatives being rolled out, stressing the importance of dialogue in resolving outstanding disputes.

He has further directed the government delegation to work closely with the Regional Security Council, traditional authorities, and community leaders to ensure calm is restored and law and order upheld.

Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has assured the Overlord of Gonja, Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I, that the government will take every necessary step to restore peace in the Sawla-Bole area.

“We have taken note of all the concerns, and we have also assured him that we will do everything humanly possible to ensure that peace will be restored. But we need his cooperation and the cooperation of all others. Surely, what talking can solve, dance cannot solve,” he stated.

"Surely, what talking can solve, dance cannot solve, so we are hoping that after all the lengthy discussion and the conclusion that we have come to, we will go and implement our part, we are hopeful that they will also listen to us and also adhere to whatever agreement that we’ve had," he noted.

A week earlier, the sector minister imposed a curfew on the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba township and its surrounding communities in the Savannah Region. The curfew runs from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., effective Wednesday, August 27, 2025, until further notice. This measure was taken in response to the recent outbreak of conflict in the area.

In addition to the curfew, there is a total ban on the possession of firearms, ammunition, or any offensive weapons. Any individual found with such items will be arrested and prosecuted. Furthermore, no two or more persons are permitted to ride on motorbikes throughout the day, and the wearing of war regalia has also been prohibited.

Last year, intense security measures were implemented in the Bole and Sawla districts of the Savannah Region due to the chieftaincy dispute between the Bolewura and the Jahori clan. This heightened security response followed a ruling by the Tamale High Court concerning the dispute between the Jahori and Bolewura factions.

In response to the court ruling, youths from Bole set fire to houses belonging to members of the Jahori community residing in both Bole and Sawla districts. The devastating fires resulted in significant property losses for the affected individuals, leaving many tenants in despair and tears. In recent years, the country has witnessed a number of casualties and destruction of property arising from chieftaincy disputes.

The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mubarak, has also reviewed the earlier curfew hours imposed on Bawku and Nalerigu townships following recent attacks. The previous curfew, which ran from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., has been revised to 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. 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 by the new directive. The curfew has created an environment conducive for the evacuation of students from educational institutions in the affected areas, some of whom had unfortunately been targeted during the conflict.