The Minister of Defence, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, has said that peace will be restored in Bawku and its surrounding areas. Dr Omane Boamah revealed that the government is taking significant steps to retool the Ghana Armed Forces, ensuring internal peace and security everywhere and safeguarding Ghana’s territories. In a post on his Facebook page, he said, “We’re taking additional significant steps to re-tool 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!”
The government has announced a total ban on all individuals in the Nalerigu and Bawku townships, as well as their surrounding areas, from carrying arms, ammunition, or any offensive weapons. Anyone found in possession of firearms or ammunition will be arrested and prosecuted.
Additionally, on Sunday, July 27, the Minister for the Interior, acting on the advice of the North East Regional Security Council and via Executive Instrument, has imposed curfew hours on Nalerigu Township and its neighboring areas in the North East Region. The curfew will be in effect from 2:00 PM to 6:00 AM, starting 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.
“Following the statement issued by the Ministry of the Interior regarding the imposition of a curfew in Bawku, Nalerigu, and surrounding areas, the curfew will be in effect from 2 PM to 6 AM starting today, Sunday, July 27, 2025, until further notice. The government emphasizes that the curfew aims not only to help maintain peace but also to facilitate the safe evacuation of all students from educational institutions in the affected areas, some of whom have unfortunately been targeted amid the ongoing conflict,” the statement read.
According to a press release from Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Minister for Government Communications and Spokesperson to the President, the deployment of troops signifies a shift from peacekeeping to peace enforcement, highlighting the urgency of the current situation. This directive follows a series of recent killings and heightened tensions in Bawku and nearby communities, which pose a risk to ongoing peace efforts and threaten to destabilise 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
