The residents of Bawku in the Upper East Region and Nkwanta in the Oti Region have been urged by President John Dramani Mahama to permit peace to prevail.
He said, while speaking to chiefs at the seat of government in Accra on Tuesday, July 29.
“We can’t accept the current situation where students are shot and killed, we can’t accept the situation where teachers and students have all run away from Bawku because they are afraid for their lives.
“We have given the mediation effort to Otumfuo, and he has briefed me constantly on the progress that he has been making, we are almost there. So, the current fighting and killings can only be done by people who want to derail the mediation efforts.
Let us give peace a chance, but as the army has announced, I have directed the army to move from peacekeeping to peace enforcement, which means they are going to be a bit more robust with anybody who is involved in criminality”.
“Let us give peace a chance, not only in Bawku but in Nkwanta and all the other places where we are currently suffering conflict,” he added.
Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, the Minister of Defense, had previously stated that Bawku and the surrounding areas would experience peace again.
To protect Ghana’s territories and maintain internal peace and security worldwide, Dr. Omane Boamah disclosed that the government is making major efforts to retool the Ghana Armed Forces.
He stated in a post on his Facebook page,
“We’re taking additional significant steps to retool the Ghana Armed Forces, ensuring internal peace and security everywhere and safeguarding our territories. The Mahama Government is committed to #ResetGhana, and we’re working tirelessly to make it happen.
“Lasting peace shall surely return to Bawku and all affected areas. Let’s collaborate and build a safer, stronger Ghana together!”
It has been declared by the government that carrying weapons, ammunition, or any other offensive weaponry is strictly prohibited for everyone in the townships of Nalerigu and Bawku as well as the surrounding areas.
They will therefore be arrested and charged if they are found in possession of any weapons or ammunition.
With effect from Sunday, July 27, 2025, until further notice, the Interior Minister enforced a curfew on Nalerigu Township and the surrounding areas in the Northeast Region from 2:00 pm to 6:00 am on the recommendation of the Northeast Regional Security Council and by Executive Instrument.
“Government calls on the Chiefs, Elders, Opinion Leaders, Youth and people of the area to exercise restraint in the face of the challenges confronting them as well as to use non-violent means to channel their energies into ensuring peace,” a statement read.
In a similar vein, the Minister reviewed the curfew hours for Bawku Municipality and its surroundings in the Upper East Region from 2:00 pm to 6:00 am, effective Sunday, July 27, 2025, until further notice, based on the Upper East Regional Security Council’s recommendation and Executive Instrument.
“Government calls on the Chiefs, Elders, Opinion Leaders, Youth and people of the area to exercise restraint in the face of the challenges confronting them as well as to use non-violent means to channel their energies into ensuring peace.
“Meanwhile, there is a total ban on all persons in the Bawku Municipality and its environs from carrying arms, ammunition or any offensive weapons and any persons found with any arms or ammunition will be arrested and prosecuted,” another statement read.
Recent murders, such as the Saturday, July 27, 2025, deaths of two Nalerigu SHS students, have preceded this development. Unknown gunmen broke into the school early on Saturday, July 26 and killed the students.
The evacuation of all students from Bawku, Nalerigu, and the impacted areas—some of whom have regrettably been singled out in the conflict—has been announced by the government.
The purpose of the curfew in Bawku and the surrounding area is to facilitate the evacuation of students, according to a statement released on Sunday, July 27 by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the spokesperson for the president.
Following a risky escalation in the chieftaincy conflict, the government said in a previous statement released on Sunday that it has taken action to address the resurgence of unrest in Bawku by ordering the Ghana Armed Forces to enforce curfews and uphold law and order in the region.
“Further to the statement issued by The Ministry of the Interior announcing the imposition of a curfew in Bawku, Nalerugu and its environs, from 2pm to 6am effective today, Sunday, 27th July, 2025, until further notice, government wants to stress that in addition to helping to enforce peace, the curfew is intended to create an environment conducive to the evacuation of all students in various educational institutions in affected areas, some of whom have been unfortunately targeted in the conflict,” it said.
The deployment of troops signifies a change from peacekeeping to peace enforcement, reflecting the urgency of the situation on the ground, according to a press statement released by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister for Government Communications and the President’s spokesperson.
Recent killings and increased tensions in Bawku and the surrounding areas have prompted the directive, raising the possibility of destabilizing the area and derailing ongoing peace efforts.
“In response to the recent escalation of violence… the Ghana Armed Forces have been deployed to maintain law and order, as we intensify curfews to ensure public safety,”
“We assure the public that the Ghana Armed Forces will take all necessary measures to protect lives and property.” the statement said.
