The Nayiri, Overlord of the Mamprugu Traditional Area and President of the North East Regional House of Chiefs, Naa Bohagu Mahami Abdulai Sherigah, has called on Ghana’s government to intensify security measures in the volatile Bawku enclave and surrounding communities.
Speaking at a press conference in Nalerigu on April 17, the revered traditional ruler outlined seven critical recommendations to curb violence and restore stability in the region, which has been plagued by recurring ethnic clashes and lawlessness.
Delivered by his spokesperson, Mba Kpatiraana, the Nayiri’s address emphasized the urgent need to deploy additional security personnel and resources to Bawku, echoing concerns raised by local police and military commanders. “Though costly, this investment is necessary compared to the price of continued insecurity,” the statement read. The recommendations include empowering security forces to operate without political interference, safeguarding economic activities for traders including cross-border merchants from Burkina Faso and Togo and protecting critical infrastructure such as hospitals and banks from criminal disruptions.
The Nayiri also advocated for unified transport systems to reduce commuter vulnerabilities, strategic checkpoints along key routes like the Bolgatanga-Bawku-Poulimakom corridor, and new police posts in conflict-prone areas such as Binduri. “Bawku must and shall rise again,” the statement declared, invoking the historical coexistence of ethnic groups including the Mamprusi, Kusasi, Bissa, and Fulani.
Appealing for calm, the traditional leader urged youth in Mamprugu to avoid retaliation and uphold peace while mediation efforts continue. He simultaneously pressed the government to ensure impartial justice and avoid undermining ongoing peace talks led by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. “The state must not falter in its duty to maintain law and order,” the statement warned, hinting at potential traditional interventions if provocations persist.
Bawku’s unrest stems from decades-old chieftaincy and land disputes, primarily between the Mamprusi and Kusasi ethnic groups. Recent clashes, including a deadly flare-up in 2022, prompted a state of emergency and military deployments under Operation Cowleg. Despite these measures, sporadic violence and economic paralysis persist, displacing thousands and stifling development in the agriculturally critical region.
The Nayiri’s appeal underscores broader challenges in balancing traditional authority with state governance in Ghana’s conflict zones. While the government has historically relied on military interventions, critics argue that lasting peace requires addressing root causes such as resource inequality and political marginalization. The Asantehene’s mediation efforts, though symbolically significant, face hurdles without cohesive support from local and national stakeholders.
As Bawku’s humanitarian crisis deepens, with disrupted education and healthcare services, the Nayiri’s recommendations highlight a growing consensus that security alone cannot resolve systemic fissures. Analysts note that sustained dialogue, equitable development, and accountability for instigators remain pivotal to breaking the cycle of violence. With regional stability in the Sahel deteriorating, Ghana’s ability to pacify Bawku could test its reputation as a beacon of democracy and peace in West Africa.
