Give peace a chance – Mahama tells residents of Bawku, Nkwanta

President John Dramani Mahama has appealed to the people of Bawku in the Upper East Region and also Nkwanta in the Oti Region to allow peace to prevail. President Mahama said the situation where people are shot and killed cannot be accepted.

Addressing chiefs at the seat of government in Accra on Tuesday, July 29, he said, “We can’t accept the current situation where students are shot and killed, we can’t accept the situation where teachers and students have all run away from Bawku because they are afraid for their lives.

“We have given the mediation effort to Otumfuo, and he has briefed me constantly on the progress that he has been making, we are almost there. So the current fighting and killings can only be done by people who want to derail the mediation efforts. Let us give peace a chance, but as the army has announced, I have directed the army to move from peacekeeping to peace enforcement, which means they are going to be a bit more robust with anybody who is involved in criminality.

“Let us give peace a chance, not only in Bawku but in Nkwanta and all the other places where we are currently suffering conflict.”

Prior to his comments, the Minister of Defence, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, had said that peace would 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 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 person 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 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