Bawku, a historically tense area in Ghana’s Upper East Region, is once again the focus of national security concern as armed clashes linked to a protracted chieftaincy dispute have intensified in recent months. In response, Ghana’s Chief of Army Staff, Major General Bismarck Kwame Gbetanu, has issued a strong warning to armed factions threatening peace in the area.
Speaking during a security tour of the conflict zone in April 2025, Major General Gbetanu assured citizens of the Ghana Armed Forces’ readiness to deal decisively with any group or individuals perpetuating violence, describing their actions as bordering on terrorism.
“We are not here to negotiate with armed criminals. Anyone who chooses the path of violence will be treated as an enemy of the state. The patience of the state is not infinite,” the Army Chief stated.
The Roots of the Bawku Conflict
The Bawku crisis stems from a long-running chieftaincy dispute between the Mamprusi and Kusasi ethnic groups, with both laying claim to the traditional skin (chiefdom) of Bawku. Despite court rulings and attempts at mediation, the issue remains unresolved, and violence has sporadically erupted for decades.
However, what began as an ethnic and traditional dispute has now been exploited by criminal networks and armed groups, some of whom are suspected of having ties to transnational smuggling routes and extremist sympathizers from Burkina Faso, just across the northern border.
Security Situation: Military Deployment and Community Fear
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Over 500 military personnel have been deployed to stabilize the area.
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Residents report a heavily militarized environment, with checkpoints and patrols in and around Bawku township and neighboring communities such as Zebilla, Garu, and Binduri.
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Despite the military presence, sporadic gunfire, arson attacks, and targeted killings continue to claim lives and displace civilians.
The Ghana Armed Forces have also been targeted in ambushes, with several injuries and fatalities reported over the past 12 months.
Humanitarian Impact: Lives Disrupted
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Over 13,000 people are believed to have fled Bawku and its environs since late 2023.
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Schools, clinics, and markets operate intermittently due to security threats.
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Aid agencies have flagged trauma among children, who are repeatedly exposed to gunfire and nighttime raids.
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Local hospitals report an increase in bullet wound casualties, with many arriving too late for treatment.
Expert Insight: Emmanuel Kotin’s Strategic Commentary
“What we are seeing in Bawku is no longer a purely local conflict,” says Emmanuel Kotin, Executive Director and Security Analyst at the Africa Center for Counter Terrorism (ACCT).
“The convergence of ethnic grievances, youth militarization, and cross-border arms trafficking makes this a hybrid threat. If not de-escalated soon, it could provide a breeding ground for extremist infiltration, especially given Ghana’s proximity to the Sahel.”
Kotin emphasized the importance of a multi-pronged response strategy, including:
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Intelligence-led operations to dismantle armed cells.
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Community reconciliation platforms led by neutral traditional leaders.
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Border surveillance upgrades to prevent inflows of weapons and insurgents.
Conflict Resolution: Government and Traditional Authorities Step In
In addition to military action, the government has encouraged peace mediation efforts led by respected traditional leaders such as the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. Earlier in April, Otumfuo hosted both Kusasi and Mamprusi delegations at Manhyia Palace in Kumasi to explore a nonviolent resolution.
Ghana’s Minister for National Security, Albert Kan-Dapaah, has described Bawku as a “red zone” and vowed that “the state will not allow non-state actors to hijack local disputes and plunge Ghana into instability.”
