Accra (KAAB TV) – The Government of Ghana has today deployed additional soldiers to the troubled Bawku area in the country’s northeast, in response to a surge in violence linked to a long-standing chieftaincy conflict between the Mamprusi and Kusaasi ethnic groups.
The latest unrest included the targeted killing of a Kusaasi chief and three high school students by armed assailants who stormed their school campuses. This follows previous mediation efforts led by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II—alongside local traditional authorities such as the Nayiri and Zugraana—that had nearly brought a resolution to the decades‑long dispute.
In an official statement issued July 27, the presidency confirmed that the Ghana Armed Forces are actively reinforcing security in Bawku and surrounding areas. A nationwide curfew has been imposed from 1400 GMT until 0600 GMT daily, “until further notice,” aimed at restoring order and enabling the safe evacuation of students from affected zones.
Although the exact number of newly deployed soldiers has not been disclosed, government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu stressed the urgency of the action, highlighting that previous solutions were undermined by the recent killings, necessitating these “drastic actions” to avert further escalation.
The Bawku chieftaincy dispute is one of Ghana’s most entrenched ethnic flashpoints, dating back decades. It revolves around competing claims by the Mamprusi and Kusaasi to appoint the area’s paramount chief, resulting in repeated violent eruptions and fatalities over time.
Earlier this year, in January 2025, violence flared in Nkwanta (Oti Region), a separate but similar chieftaincy conflict involving Akyode, Adele, and Challa communities. That unrest led to multiple deaths, widespread displacement, and the deployment of combined military and police forces to restore law and order.
Despite numerous efforts at reconciliation—including peace pacts signed by traditional authorities—most disputes have yet to find lasting resolution, with tensions reigniting at critical moments such as festivals or contested installations.
Implications
Security and civilian safety: The latest curfew and troop movement are designed to stabilize the region and facilitate civilian protection, particularly for students and vulnerable groups.
Role of traditional mediation: While mediation by Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and regional traditional leaders had made inroads toward peace, recent violence reveals the fragility of these arrangements and the need for renewed dialogue.
Regional and ethnic dynamics: The Bawku crisis underscores broader tensions between Mamprusi and Kusaasi groups and highlights how localized disputes can escalate rapidly without consistent intervention.
Ghana’s leadership now faces a delicate balancing act: employing military measures to prevent further bloodshed while simultaneously reviving grassroots dialogue and building durable mechanisms for conflict resolution. As residents await whether this deployment will yield sustained calm, government officials continue to press all factions to engage in peaceful negotiation and uphold the rule of law.