Following a deadly resurgence of violence in the troubled Bawku area, the Government of Ghana has moved beyond its long-standing peacekeeping approach to initiate a more assertive peace enforcement strategy aimed at stabilizing the region.
In a statement released by the Presidency on Sunday, July 27, 2025, and signed by Presidential Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the government cited recent killings and mounting insecurity as the basis for deploying the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to actively enforce curfews, restore calm, and safeguard lives and property.
The move marks a significant policy shift in how authorities are handling the decades-long Bawku chieftaincy conflict, which has periodically flared into deadly violence, undermining efforts by traditional leaders and national mediators to secure lasting peace.
“The Ghana Armed Forces will take all necessary measures to protect lives and property,” the statement declared, assuring the public that the operation is solely targeted at ensuring safety for all residents, including vulnerable groups such as students.
The renewed instability comes just days after the tragic killing of Hakim Kundima, a third-year student of Bawku Senior High School, prompting the Municipal Education Directorate to temporarily close the school over safety concerns.
In a related development, the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has announced revised curfew hours for Bawku and surrounding areas. Effective immediately, the new curfew will run from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. daily. The decision, based on recommendations from the Upper East Regional Security Council (REGSEC), has been formalized through an Executive Instrument.
While acknowledging the inevitable inconvenience the security operation may bring to law-abiding citizens, the government stressed its unwavering commitment to restoring peace and preserving national unity. Residents have been urged to remain calm, cooperate with security personnel, and reject any calls to violence.
The statement also took time to commend the sustained mediation efforts led by Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, with support from the Nayiri and Zugraana, noting that peace was within reach until the recent escalation derailed talks.
“Otumfuo’s mediation, with the genuine help of the Nayiri and Zugraana, had almost brought finality to the conflict until the very recent killings,” the presidency noted.
The change in posture—from peacekeeping to peace enforcement—reflects the government’s growing frustration with the cyclical nature of violence in Bawku and signals its readiness to take stronger measures to protect national cohesion and the lives of innocent citizens caught in the crossfire.
