The Ghanaian government has revised nightly curfew hours in Bawku Municipality and surrounding areas of the Upper East Region, shortening the window during which residents must remain indoors.
Effective Friday, 25 April 2025, the curfew will now run from 8:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m., a shift from previous restrictions implemented earlier this year.
Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak announced the adjustment following recommendations by the Upper East Regional Security Council (REGSEC), citing improved but fragile security conditions. The curfew was initially imposed in February 2025 after clashes between the Kusasi and Mamprusi communities reignited a decades-old chieftaincy dispute, resulting in casualties and widespread unrest. Security forces intervened to quell the violence, which had disrupted daily life and heightened fears of further escalation.
Authorities reiterated a ban on the possession of arms, ammunition, and offensive weapons, emphasizing that violations would lead to arrest and prosecution. The government has repeatedly urged community leaders, youth groups, and residents to pursue dialogue over confrontation, stressing that lasting peace hinges on resolving grievances through mediation.
Chieftaincy disputes in northern Ghana, often rooted in historical land and governance claims, have periodically flared into violence despite national efforts to promote reconciliation. Bawku, a hub of cross-border trade, has been particularly affected, with past conflicts disrupting economic activity and straining relations between security forces and civilians. While the adjusted curfew signals cautious optimism, analysts note that underlying tensions require sustained engagement between traditional authorities, local stakeholders, and national agencies to prevent future outbreaks.
Minister Mohammed-Mubarak affirmed ongoing collaboration with community leaders to monitor the situation, underscoring the administration’s commitment to stabilizing the region. The ministry has not specified a timeline for lifting the curfew but stated that further reviews will depend on compliance with security protocols and progress toward reconciliation.
