President Akufo-Addo has called on feuding factions in the Bawku chieftaincy dispute to ceasefire with regards to the seething tension and resort to dialogue. He revealed that monies spent on security in the area could be used to develop Bawku.

According to President Akufo-Addo, it is crucial for the people of Bawku to maintain the peace it has enjoyed over the years.

“I know very well the nature of the decision that the Supreme Court took over the Bawku chieftaincy conflict… I am hoping that the Bawku Naaba will also cooperate with the government to bring peace to the area. The monies we’ve spent on security in Bawku could be used to develop the place. So, I asked for you here so that we can find a way to work towards bringing peace and calm and understanding to Bawku”.
President Akufo-Addio

The tensions started on December 27, 2021, when there was gunfire in parts of the town after attempts to perform the final funeral rites of a Chief who died about 41 years ago. Following this, the tension has occasioned a curfew to be placed on Bawku, a ban on smock-wearing and a ban on the use of motorbikes.

Earlier, Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, urged government to crack down on persons inciting recent tensions in the Bawku Municipality. Mr. Ayariga believes that social media was being used as a conduit by some persons to foment trouble in the area.

“For the past several months and close to a year, there has been a lot of work on social media doing everything to instigate the situation that we have today. Unfortunately, the state has not clamped down on these actors on social media, and it generates reactions on all sides and today, the situation is because of the activities of these people on social media”.
Mahama Ayariga

Resolution of Bawku Dispute

In December last year, President Akufo-Addo instructed the Minister for Chieftaincy, Hon. Kojo Kum (MP), to draw urgently the attention of all stakeholders in the Bawku impasse to desist from actions and pronouncements that can further escalate tensions and violence in the area.

In a statement, it revealed that claims that Bawku does not have an overlord and attempts to install a new Bawku Naaba run contrary to the already determined position by the Supreme Court on the matter.

It suggested that the status of the Paramount Chief of Bawku has been settled by the Supreme Court of Ghana in the celebrated case in April 2003.

“Indeed, judgements of the Supreme Court, the highest court of the land, are meant to be complied with and not subject to the opinions of any individuals or group to pick and choose whether to abide by the judgments or not. As a matter of fact, until or unless a decision of the Supreme Court is varied or set aside, that decision is binding on all persons”.
Hon. Kojo Kum

The Minister for Chieftaincy then expressed government’s resolve to ensure that persons holding offices legitimately are uninhibited from performing their roles and functions.