In a swift response to escalating security concerns, the Ministry of the Interior, following an emergency National Security meeting chaired by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has declared a 12-hour curfew in Bawku, effective immediately from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM daily until further notice.
This decision follows recent unrest spurred by the return of Mr. Seidu Abagre, who was controversially enskinned as Bawku Naba in February 2023—a position deemed illegal by authorities.
“The return to Bawku, on 24th October 2024, of Mr. Seidu Abagre, who was illegally enskinned as Bawku Naba in February 2023, subsequent to the vacation by the Court of Appeal, sitting in Kumasi, of the warrant for his arrest, has led to significant disturbances affecting public peace and security in the area.
“Unfortunately, these disturbances have resulted in the loss of numerous lives in Bawku and its environs, with a looming threat of escalation beyond Bawku”.
Hon. Naana Eyiah, MP for Gomoa Central and Deputy Minister of Interior
Rising Tensions Linked to Bawku Chieftaincy Dispute
According to the Ministry of Interior’s statement, Mr. Abagre’s controversial return has stirred deep-seated chieftaincy disputes, exacerbating an already tense atmosphere in Bawku.
The area, historically marked by ethnic and chieftaincy-related tensions, has witnessed renewed violence following Abagre’s presence, which has quickly escalated to deadly confrontations.
Security sources indicate that clashes have intensified, with reports of property destruction and injuries among residents, leaving a heightened fear of further escalation.
The Deputy Minister of Interior, Hon. Naana Eyiah, in a press statement, pointed out that “the return of Mr Seidu Abagre poses a substantial threat to public safety and security,” based on national security assessments.
In light of these findings, she noted that the government has invoked the Public Order Act of 1994 (Act 491), empowering it to impose the curfew as a preventive measure to curb the spread of violence and to safeguard lives.
Government’s Immediate Security Response
Moreover, the Deputy Minister of Interior indicated that the government has deployed additional security forces to Bawku, tasked with enforcing the curfew and maintaining law and order to prevent any further escalation of violence.
The Ministry’s statement emphasized, “Security agencies have been directed to enforce strictly the curfew and maintain law and order.” It also cautioned residents that any breach of the curfew would be met with strict legal consequences.
Hon. Naana Eyiah appealed for calm, urging residents to comply fully with the curfew and cooperate with security personnel to facilitate peace restoration efforts.
“The government is committed to taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of the people of Bawku and its environs,” the statement read, underscoring the government’s stance on prioritizing community well-being and stability.
Implications and Call for Cooperation from Residents
The curfew is intended as an immediate measure to prevent further casualties and contain the unrest.
Security experts and local authorities have called for restraint among all factions involved in the chieftaincy dispute. The Ministry’s statement warned that violators would be subject to “the full consequences of the law,” sending a clear message of zero tolerance for non-compliance.
In earlier statements, political and local leaders including former President and NDC Presidential Candidate John Dramani Mahama have called for constructive dialogue, hoping to ease tensions and find a peaceful resolution to the chieftaincy dispute, which has plagued Bawku for years.
The government’s decisive action marks the latest in a series of interventions to quell chieftaincy-related violence in Bawku. The curfew, as officials reiterated, is a temporary measure aimed at de-escalating the situation and facilitating broader peacekeeping and reconciliation efforts.
In previous years, similar curfews have been imposed during periods of heightened tension, which government and traditional authorities alike hope to avoid in the long term through diplomatic and peaceful solutions.
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