The mediation efforts led by the Otumfuo Ashanti Hene, Osei Tutu II, regarding the protracted Bawku Conflict have come to a close, with an official announcement marking the conclusion of the process.
This follows the initiation of the mediation by the Akufo-Addo led administration and continued by John Mahama administration, which was aimed at bringing an end to the ongoing hostilities in Bawku.
What is the Bawku Conflict?
Bawku is a town located in the Upper East Region of Ghana with six traditional local government administration under her belly termed the Kusaug traditional area. The area shares boundaries with Burkina Faso, Togo, Nabdam district to the West, and North East Region to south. The Bawku Conflict is a started during the pre-colonial era between the Kusaas and Mamprusis over ownership of chieftaincy. It reignited in November 2021 and has persisted since then. The latest casualty occurred on Saturday, November 29, 2025, in the Zongo area. What began as a conflict in Bawku Township has since spread to surrounding areas, including Binduri, Nalerigu, Walewale, Kumasi, and Accra. About thousand people have lost their lives through this unfortunate conflict.
Attacks In Accra Linked to the Bawku Conflict
In separate incidents, one individual was shot dead in Ashaiman Tulaku, while several others sustained injuries in attacks at the same location and in Avenor on different dates. Tensions rosed higher in areas within Accra where Kusasis and Mamprusis were residing.
Attacks In Kumasi
A Kusasi chief Naba Maliki was murdered at Asawase and two others were killed in a reprisal attack. An additional casualty had occurred earlier.
Tensions rosed in the Ashanti Region, especially Kumasi during that period.
Nalerigu Killings
In Nalerigu, two schoolchildren were killed at the Nalerigu Senior School, and a businessman was also killed two years earlier, with another young man identified as Bombande also murdered. A curfew was imposed on the area following the deaths of the two schoolboys.
Walewale Killings
The Walewale attacks primarily targeted travelers. Gunmen would often block the Bolgatanga-Tamale highway and attack individuals suspected of being from the Kusasi community. In total, four buses and two trucks have been burnt to ashes. Approximately 40 people have been killed on this road, with the highest number of casualties occurring when Togolese travelers were mistakenly identified as Kusasis. Twelve of them including women and children were killed and burned in their bus.
Binduri Hostilities
The killings in Binduri began in Gumyoko and spread to other areas, including Binduri down, Poayamire, Binduri-Sakpar, Tengmasug, Avondago, and the vicinity of the Agenda 111 hospital. Approximately 100 people have been killed in the Binduri District, the majority of whom were women and children. Numerous homes have been burnt down.
Bawku Hostilities
The conflict in Bawku escalated in November 2021, with gunmen employing powerful weapons such as AK-47 rifles and M16s.
Hundreds have lost their lives, including women and children, and many homes and properties have been devastated.
While some deaths occurred in combat, many others were targeted assassinations, with victims often killed in their homes. Tragically, nearly 100 individuals have reportedly been killed by security forces, particularly the military.
Four security personnel have lost their lives in Bawku, including a military a officer
Prominent People Killed
Alhassan Azumah, Lecturer, Bolgatanga Technical University
Akugri Mohammed, Health Insurance Manager, Bongo
Zibrim, Pharmacist, Bolgatanga
Naba Maliki, Kusasi Chief, Kumasi
Security Officers Killed
One policewoman
One military officer
Two immigration officers
Bawku is located in the Upper East Region of Ghana, strategically bordering both Burkina Faso and Togo.
The Kusasis and Mamprusis, despite their shared heritage and almost identical language, have unfortunately failed to reconcile their differences, leading to violent conflict.
By: Ibrahim Abode
