Ghana Deploys More Troops to Bawku Amid Renewed Chieftaincy Violence
The Ghanaian government has deployed additional troops to the northeastern town of Bawku following a resurgence of violence linked to a decades-old chieftaincy dispute between the Mamprusi and Kusaasi ethnic groups.
Presidential spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, confirmed the move on Sunday, citing the need to restore order after recent killings that included the assassination of a Kusaasi chief and three high school students attacked on their school campuses.
“The government views the situation as deeply troubling. The tragic loss of innocent lives, including students, necessitated immediate and drastic action,” Ofosu said, adding that President John Mahama’s administration remains committed to ending the crisis.
The Bawku chieftaincy conflict, one of Ghana’s most enduring ethnic flashpoints, revolves around which ethnic group has the right to appoint a traditional chief in the area. Despite longstanding mediation efforts led by Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, recent violence has derailed hopes for a lasting resolution.
Though Ofosu did not disclose the exact number of troops deployed, he stated that security reinforcements were already on the ground near the border with Burkina Faso.
To further curb the unrest, a curfew has been imposed in Bawku from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. GMT until further notice. Ofosu said the curfew aims to facilitate the safe evacuation of students and restore public safety.
Authorities have urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies as peacekeeping operations intensify.
