At least seven people have been killed in a fresh surge of violence in Bawku that erupted on Sunday, July 13, 2025. Four individuals lost their lives on the Bolgatanga–Bawku road, while three more were killed near the Mossi Eid prayer grounds in Tingsugo.
These tragic fatalities follow a highly inflammatory Facebook post, allegedly from a Mamprugu youth group, that declared “war” on the Kusasi ethnic group, marking a significant and deadly escalation in the long-standing Bawku conflict.
The contentious post, which rapidly circulated online, issued a stark warning: “We (Mamprugu) have declared war to Kusasis and their vehicles passing through our territories until the Bolga–Bawku road is deemed safe. The safety of Kusasis on our road will be compromised until this requirement is met. If you are not Kusasi and you are operating in Kusasi-affiliated vehicle, it is prudent you step down immediately for your own safety.”
The victims of Sunday’s brutal events included a man and a young woman who were shot near the highway, and an elderly woman and her grandson at Tinsung. Several other individuals reportedly sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the Vineyard Hospital, a private facility said to be owned by the current Bawku Municipal Chief Executive.
Adding to the grim reports, an alleged armed wing identifying itself as the Mamprusi Defence Force (MDF) claimed to have launched operations in key locations. They reported that six “Kusasi bandits” were “neutralized” in Gingande. Additionally, the MDF alleged that three more individuals were killed near the Mossi Eid prayer grounds in Tingsugo, and two rifles were purportedly retrieved from the scene.
In what appears to be a deeply symbolic escalation of hostilities, the same group posted on Facebook celebrating the toppling of a revered statue described as “Bahubali,” believed to be a significant cultural symbol cherished by the Kusasi community. The post brazenly stated: “BREAKING NEWS 13/07/2025 – Our boys Mamprusi Defence Force (MDF) managed to bring down Bahubali.”
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Mamprugu Youth Condemn Bus Attack, Demand Urgent Security Measures in Bawku
The Mamprugu Youth Association (MAYA) has vehemently condemned a recent violent attack on an escorted passenger bus along the Bolgatanga–Bawku–Poulimakom corridor. Describing the incident as “barbaric and inhumane,” MAYA issued a statement on Sunday, July 13, calling on the government to take immediate and decisive action to restore peace and protect civilians in the conflict-prone region.
MAYA put forward several urgent demands:
- The deployment of joint security checkpoints at five-mile intervals along the corridor to monitor and deter criminal activity.
- The establishment of a centralized lorry station to prevent further targeted attacks.
- The protection of traders, including women, children, and cross-border merchants from Burkina Faso and Togo, who rely on the route for their livelihoods.
- The safeguarding of critical infrastructure to avert further economic hardship for the community.
- The creation of police posts in key hotspots such as Gumyoko and Binduri to reduce tribal profiling and provide timely security response.
MAYA also echoed the appeal made by His Royal Majesty Tidugma Nayiri for swift state intervention to restore stability in the Bawku Traditional Area. The association warned that the escalating activities of armed criminals in Binduri, Pusiga, Garu, and Bawku West threaten national unity and social cohesion.
The group expressed its belief in the state’s capacity to enforce justice and maintain law and order, while simultaneously calling on the youth of Mamprugu to remain law-abiding, exercise restraint, and commit to the shared goal of peace, dignity, and unity among all ethnic groups in the area, including the Bissa, Mamprusi, Kusasi, Moshie, Hausa, Zambarima, Fulani, and Bimoba.
MAYA specifically condemned the armed attack on the passenger bus traveling under military escort from Bolgatanga to Bawku, noting it occurred just four days after a deadly assault on a Mamprusi-owned cargo truck at Bazua, which claimed three innocent lives. Unlike the Bazua incident, where MAYA criticized the military’s alleged inaction, they commended the Ghana Armed Forces for their “courageous and decisive response” on July 13. They lauded the military’s professionalism and resolve, affirming their capacity to protect the defenseless.
The association urged the Ghana Police Service to follow this example, stating that the “regrettable episode where the Inspector General of Police apologized to a people who are responsible for repeated breaches of peace and other acts including murder, arson, and sabotage, must not reoccur.” They emphasized that Ghana is founded on the rule of law and Bawku should be no exception.
MAYA called on the Minister for Defense and Minister for the Interior to internalize the lessons of yesterday’s events and “rise above partisan lenses,” stressing that governance requires impartiality and all citizens deserve equal protection. Immediate actions recommended include:
- Dismantling illegal lorry stations that enable targeted violence against vehicles.
- Removing unauthorized roadside markets used as staging grounds for attacks.
The association also challenged parliamentary representatives of the area to “rise to the occasion,” stating that “silence in the face of violence is complicity.” They singled out the Hon. MP for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, for his “selective engagement,” criticizing his vocal defense of a statue versus his “loud silence in the face of real human suffering,” which they said “undermines the trust many have placed in his leadership” and labeled him a “coward.”
In support of HRM Tidugma Nayiri’s vision, MAYA reiterated its comprehensive recommendations:
- Boost Security Personnel and Logistics: Address staffing and equipment shortages among police and military units.
- Empower Security Forces: Free security personnel from political interference to allow decisive action.
- Protect Economic Freedom: Ensure all traders can conduct business safely.
- Shield Critical Infrastructure: Safeguard essential institutions from disruption.
- Unify Transport Systems: Establish a single centralized lorry station to eliminate vulnerabilities.
- Deploy Strategic Checkpoints: Position joint security posts every five miles along the Bolgatanga Bawku-Poulimakom corridor.
- Establish Police Posts in Key Areas: Especially in Gumyoko and Binduri to curb tribal profiling and provide immediate protection.
MAYA concluded by reiterating HRM Tidugma Nayiri’s urgent appeal to the Government of Ghana to act swiftly, urging Mamprugu youth to remain law-abiding and exercise restraint, trusting in the state’s ability to enforce justice.
Mahama Ayariga Condemns Military Over Statue Destruction
Mahama Ayariga, Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, has issued a strong condemnation of the conduct of military personnel in Bawku following the destruction of a revered statue and reports of violent assaults on civilians.
In a statement released on July 14, 2025, Mr. Ayariga expressed deep concern over the alleged demolition of a statue of the Zugran of the Kusaug Traditional Area, Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, reportedly carried out by members of the Ghana Armed Forces. “I condemn, in no uncertain terms, the unacceptable act of destruction of the statue of the Zugran of the Kusaug Traditional Area, Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, by some military personnel,” the MP stated, emphasizing that such acts only deepen tensions in an already fragile security environment.
Mr. Ayariga also criticized the military’s reported use of excessive force on July 13, describing the incident as a clear act of brutality. In the same breath, he condemned a violent gun attack by an unidentified youth on a vehicle said to be under military escort.
Calling for calm, the MP urged the youth of Kusaug to refrain from retaliation as the government investigates what he termed “infiltrations into the ranks of the military by elements who seek to politicise and further destabilise the situation in Bawku.” He also offered condolences to the families of those affected by the ongoing unrest and appealed for national leadership to act swiftly. “The government must take urgent steps to investigate and restore peace,” he added.
Defence Minister Orders Investigations into Latest Attacks
Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence, has ordered thorough investigations into the latest violent incidents in Bawku that occurred on Sunday, July 13. This directive, announced in a statement posted on his official Facebook page on Monday, July 14, forms part of renewed government efforts to restore calm in the long-troubled area.
Dr. Boamah urged all parties involved to exercise restraint while investigations into the latest disturbances are carried out. “We are, once again, urging restraint and calm in Bawku regarding the latest developments as of yesterday,” he wrote. His appeal follows renewed tension and reports of violence in the Upper East town, which has seen intermittent conflict over the past few years.
The Defence Minister confirmed that he had ordered a detailed probe into the matter and assured the public of prompt action once findings are available. “I have directed thorough investigations into the recent matter and promised to take swift action based on recommendations,” he said, emphasizing the importance of a fact-based response to avoid escalating tensions further. Dr. Boamah concluded his statement with another strong call for calm: “Once again, let us ensure restraint!”
No Work for Gov’t Institutions in 6 Districts Today As Kusaug Youth Demand Immediate Erection of Zugdaan Statue
Tensions in the volatile Bawku enclave have taken a new dimension, with residents in the Kusaug Traditional Area declaring a civil shutdown across six districts for today, July 14, 2025.
This drastic action follows the reported destruction of a statue believed to represent Zugdaan, a revered figure of Kusaug identity, amidst the intensifying ethnic conflict with the Mamprugu faction. A notice circulating within the Kusasi community, seen by BigFamily News, explicitly stated: “No work for govt institutions in 6 districts in Kusaug starting tomorrow 14-07-25. Erect Zugdaan’s statue now.”
The development is widely seen as a direct reaction to the alleged dismantling of the statue by unknown individuals, an act that has sparked widespread outrage across Kusaug settlements. The destruction of the statue is believed to have followed the violent Sunday in which four individuals were killed on the Bolga–Bawku road and multiple others injured. These killings, according to earlier reports, may be linked to an alleged Facebook post from a Mamprugu youth group declaring war on the Kusasis and warning them against traveling through certain territories.
As of now, there has been no official communication from the security services regarding the killings, the statue’s removal, or the ongoing shutdown of public services. The situation remains tense, with a clear demand from the Kusaug youth for the immediate restoration of their cultural symbol.
Bawku Conflict Is Now An Organized Crime, Not Just Ethnic Tension – Security Analyst
