Enhanced security will be observed on Senior High Schools (SHSs) campuses within the Bawku Municipality to safeguard students preparing for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) scheduled to take place from August 4 to September 19.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, July 29, Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Bawku, Isaac Azunaba, disclosed that police personnel will be deployed to safeguard the safety of students.

“We are putting in place comprehensive security measures, including the deployment of police officers to every SHS campus in Bawku. This is to create a calm atmosphere for the students to write their exams without fear or disruption,” he stated.

He noted that the move is a part of the government’s strategies to restore peace and stability in Bawku, as the area has been experiencing repeated violence in recent times.

The Executive Director of the Africa Education Watch, Kofi Asare, continues to call for the establishment of police posts in every public secondary school across the country to safeguard the students’ safety amid heightened tension.

“I will continue to advocate for a police post in every secondary school. With about 1,000 schools nationwide, if we recruit 4,000 policemen, every school can have two officers on 24-hour guard duties in shifts,” he said while speaking on 3FM Sunrise on July 28.

His comments follow the evacuation of all students in educational institutions in Nalerigu Township and its environs in the North East Region. The renewed violence has resulted in deadly confrontations, including attacks on both civilians and security forces.

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 way to the dormitory, and opened fire on the victims. The deceased students have been laid to rest.

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 attack, 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 to the evacuation of all students in various educational institutions in affected areas, some of whom have been unfortunately targeted in the conflict.

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 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.