Interior Ministry Reinstates Curfew in Bawku, Bans Carrying of Arms
Bawku, Upper East Region, Ghana - 17 Feb, 2025 - Ghana's Upper East Region remains on high alert as the government reinstates a curfew in Bawku Municipality and its surrounding areas, effective Monday, February 17, 2025.
The new curfew hours, spanning from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., aim to curb the escalating violence that has claimed numerous lives, including those of four children between five months to 13 years old, since January 25, 2025.
In addition to the curfew, the government has imposed a total ban on carrying arms, ammunition, or any offensive weapons in Bawku and its environs. Anyone found in possession of such items will face arrest and prosecution. The government has urged locals to remain calm and resolve conflicts through non-violent means, working towards lasting peace in the area.
The renewed curfew in Bawku comes as the Ministry of Interior also imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in Walewale and its surrounding communities in the North East Region, following a series of violent attacks and killings along the Bolgatanga-Tamale highway. The directive, effective February 15, 2025, restricts movement from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. daily.
The conflict in Bawku has resulted in the loss of at least 58 lives since October 2024, with combatants engaging in daily gun battles in the township and along the Bawku-Bolga-Tamale highway. The situation remains volatile, with locals calling for a more inclusive and effective approach to addressing the root causes of the conflict.
Source: Lead News Online
