The government has announced that there is a total ban on all persons in the Nalerigu and Bawku Townships and their environs from carrying arms, ammunition or any offensive weapons. Therefore, any persons found with any arms or ammunition will be arrested and prosecuted.
On Sunday, July 27, the Minister for the Interior, on the advice of the North East Regional Security Council and by Executive Instrument, imposed curfew hours on Nalerigu Township and its environs in the North East Region from 2:00 pm to 6:00 am, effective Sunday, July 27, 2025, until further notice.
“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 said.
Similarly, on the advice of the Upper East Regional Security Council and by Executive Instrument, the Minister reviewed the curfew hours for Bawku Municipality and its environs in the Upper East Region from 2:00 pm to 6:00 am, effective Sunday, July 27, 2025, until further notice.
“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 said.
This development comes on the back of recent killings, including the death of two Nalerigu SHS students on Saturday, July 27, 2025.
The students were killed by unidentified gunmen who stormed the school’s premises in the early hours of Saturday, July 26.
The government has announced an evacuation of all students in various educational institutions from Bawku, Nalerigu and affected areas, some of whom have been unfortunately targeted in the conflict.
A statement issued on Sunday, July 27 by the Spokesperson to the President, Felix Kwakye Ofosu noted that the curfew imposed in Bawku and its environs is to create an environment conducive to the evacuation of students.
In an earlier statement issued on Sunday, the government said it has taken steps in tackling the renewed unrest in Bawku by directing the Ghana Armed Forces to enforce curfews and maintain law and order in the area, following a dangerous escalation in the chieftaincy conflict.
“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,” the statement said.
According to a press statement issued by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister for Government Communications and Spokesperson to the President, the deployment of troops marks a shift from peacekeeping to peace enforcement, reflecting the urgency of the situation on the ground.
The directive comes in the wake of recent killings and heightened tensions in Bawku and nearby communities, which threaten to derail ongoing peace efforts and destabilize the region.
“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,” the statement said. “We assure the public that the Ghana Armed Forces will take all necessary measures to protect lives and property.”
By Laud Nartey
