Ghana has deployed additional troops to the troubled northeastern town of Bawku, where renewed violence stemming from a decades-long chieftaincy dispute has resulted in multiple deaths, including students and a traditional leader.
According to presidential spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the decision was prompted by recent killings that “necessitated drastic actions” to restore calm. The conflict, rooted in a long-standing rivalry between the Mamprusi and Kusaasi ethnic groups over the rightful authority to appoint a chief, has remained one of the country’s most entrenched ethnic flashpoints.
Among the victims of last week’s violence was a Kusaasi chief and three high school students who were reportedly killed by gunmen who invaded their schools, according to local media.
“The mediation efforts led by His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II had almost brought finality to the conflict,” Ofosu said in a statement on Sunday. “However, the recent surge in violence demands urgent intervention.”
Ofosu did not reveal how many soldiers are being added to the existing security presence, citing operational sensitivity. The town of Bawku, located near the northern border with Burkina Faso, has seen a recurring cycle of unrest over the years, prompting various state and traditional attempts at resolution.
In a separate statement, the presidency announced a curfew would be enforced from 1400 GMT to 0600 GMT daily “until further notice,” to help stabilise the area and allow for the safe evacuation of students from affected schools.
The government’s response underscores growing concern over the potential for the Bawku conflict to destabilise the wider region if left unchecked. Calls for peace and restraint have been echoed across the country, as citizens look to authorities and traditional leaders for a lasting resolution.
Melissa Enoch
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