Gov’t renews Bawku curfew as Asantehene prepares to submit mediation report today
The government has extended the curfew that was imposed on the Bawku Municipality and its neighbouring communities in the Upper East Region as security forces enhance their efforts to manage ongoing violence associated with the prolonged chieftaincy dispute in the region.
In a statement released on Monday, December 15, 2025, the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, declared that the curfew will now be in effect from 8:00 pm to 5:00 am, starting on the same day.
This decision was made based on the recommendations of the National Security Council and was formalised through an Executive Instrument.
The Interior Ministry indicated that the renewed restriction is part of a strategy to restore peace and safeguard lives and property amidst ongoing tensions in the municipality and its surroundings.
The government has urged chiefs, elders, opinion leaders, the youth, and residents to practise restraint and to direct their efforts towards peaceful and non-violent methods.
The statement further announced a complete prohibition on the possession of firearms, ammunition, and offensive weapons within the affected regions, cautioning that anyone found violating this ban will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The renewed curfew is being implemented at a critical juncture in the peace process, as the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, is set to present his final report and recommendations for resolving the Bawku chieftaincy conflict to President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday, December 16.
This presentation, scheduled for 4 pm at the Presidency in Accra, represents the culmination of several months of mediation led by the Asantehene following his appointment by President Mahama earlier this year.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Member of Parliament and spokesperson for the President, confirmed the forthcoming handover in a statement issued from the Office of the President, describing it as a crucial step towards achieving a sustainable resolution of the conflict between the Kusasi and Mamprusi factions.
The mediation process, which commenced in April and resumed in May following a brief hiatus, has been acknowledged for alleviating tensions and reinstating a degree of tranquillity in the conflict-affected municipality. The concluding round of discussions, conducted last week at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, occurred under stringent security measures, with military and police forces stationed throughout the palace grounds.
Sources acquainted with the confidential discussions indicated that the Asantehene chose not to declare a victor or a vanquished party, opting instead to assess the comprehensive array of grievances presented by both factions. One source remarked that Otumfuo communicated to the involved parties that he would relay his conclusions to the President for subsequent actions, emphasising that the process remained anchored in mediation rather than confrontation.
In spite of the advancements made, tensions briefly escalated outside the Manhyia Palace at the conclusion of the final meeting when supporters from both factions congregated in significant numbers. A confrontation was narrowly averted due to the prompt intervention of security personnel, which restored order and ensured the safe exit of both delegations.
Bawku has suffered from years of sporadic violence arising from the chieftaincy conflict, resulting in the loss of hundreds of lives and extensive property damage.
The unrest has profoundly disrupted economic activities, education, and healthcare services, compelling many residents to evacuate and leaving the once-thriving border town struggling to operate.