Management of the Ghana Education Service (GES) has announced that all the schools under violent attacks are temporarily closed down to ensure safety of life and property.

The GES gas received confirmed reports of violent incidents at Bawku SHS, Nalerigu SHS, and Zuarungu SHS. These incidents have resulted in the tragic loss of student lives, injuries, and significant damage to school property.

According to the Ghana Education Service, "these events, which occurred between 20th and 26th July 2025, have severely disrupted academic activities and caused deep distress among students, families, and school staff."

"The GES condemns in no uncertain terms these acts of violence," the statement added.

Counselling services are being strengthened for both students and staff to help them manage the trauma.

The Ghana Education Service has expressed its condolences to the bereaved families and affected school communities.

"We stand with them in this difficult moment and assure them of our full support. In addition, we officially announce that all the schools under violent attacks are temporary closed down to ensure safety of life and property," the statement added.

The GES is currently collaborating with the Ministry of Education, WAEC, Regional and District Directors, and the leadership of the affected schools to take urgent steps to ensure that the SHS 3 students are able to sit for the upcoming WASSCE under safe and fair conditions.

Special examination arrangements and secure centres are currently under consideration, the Ghana Education Service revealed.

For SHS 1 and 2 students in the affected schools, the GES is exploring all viable learning avenues to ensure continuity of lessons while campuses remain closed for safety assessments.

The GES has indicated that further details on these interventions will be communicated in due course.

The Service has noted that it will continue to work closely with the security agencies to enhance safety on school campuses and to protect both students and personnel.

On Sunday, July 20, due to allegations of theft, a mobile phone, resulted in a melee involving Gurune and Kusasi students at Zuarungu Senior High School (SHS).

The government has commenced evacuation of all students in educational institutions in Nalerigu Township and its environs in the North East Region, following the murder of two students.

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. Also in Bawku, a third-year student of Bawku Senior High School, Hakim Kundima, was killed on the school campus on Saturday evening by some armed men. Similar to the Nalerigu Senior High School incident, the armed men found their way into the school’s premises, dragged the deceased from the dormitory, and shot him. The Bawku Senior High School has been temporarily closed by the Municipal Education Directorate following the fatal shooting.

In reaction to the recent violent attacks, the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mubarak, on the advice of the North East Regional Security Council and by Executive Instrument, has imposed curfew hours on Nalerigu Township and its environs in the North East Region from 2pm to 6am, effective Sunday, July 27, until further notice.

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. 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.

Meanwhile, the government has reviewed the curfew hours for Bawku Municipality and its environs in the Upper East Region from 2pm to 6am, effective Sunday, July 27, until further notice. 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 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.

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.

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.

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.