What once began as a simmering chieftaincy dispute in the heart of the Upper East Region has now spiralled into a full-scale crisis with national and global implications. Bawku, a border town long known for its cultural diversity, is now infamous for being the most volatile zone in Ghana. In recent months, it has transformed from a contested traditional stronghold into an epicentre for terrorist activities, and the cost has been unbearably high.
A Graveyard for Security Personnel
The list of fallen heroes grows longer by the day. Armed assailants, now operating with chilling precision, have targeted and killed multiple law enforcement officers who were deployed to stabilise the area. Just days ago, two police officers were executed at gunpoint, and their motorbikes seized ,a blatant message of lawlessness and impunity. Even the Inspector-General of Police, COP Tetteh Yohuno, and his top security commanders have not been spared from danger. On a recent visit to Bawku, the convoy of the IGP came under live fire from unknown gunmen. Miraculously, he escaped unhurt.
These are not isolated events. Military personnel, immigration officers, and other uniformed officers have been ambushed, maimed, or murdered. These deliberate attacks signal more than tribal grievances ,they mark the presence of a coordinated, militant movement with a clear objective, destabilise the region, and challenge the sovereignty of the Ghanaian state.
The civilian toll is equally harrowing. Innocent residents, including women and children, have been caught in the crossfire. Homes have been torched. Entire communities are living under siege, unsure if they will see the next sunrise. The town that once bustled with markets, schools, and trade has become a ghost zone gripped by fear.
Bawku’s strategic location near the Burkina Faso border has become a curse. The instability in Burkina Faso, riddled with jihadist insurgency, is spilling over. Intelligence reports suggest a growing infiltration of armed extremists into the Bawku enclave. These militants are exploiting the chieftaincy unrest to establish operational bases, recruit fighters, and traffic arms. Ghana is now staring at the same abyss that swallowed parts of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.
Despite the warning signs, the national response has been shamefully inadequate. Political leaders have either remained silent or resorted to empty platitudes. Some have politicised the conflict, trading blame instead of solutions. The national security apparatus appears either overwhelmed or indifferent.
This is no longer about who is the rightful chief of Bawku. It is about national survival.
Enough is enough.
The time has come for the Government of Ghana to declare Bawku a Terrorist Operational Zone. This is not a tribal war; it is a full-blown insurgency. As such, the following immediate actions must be taken:
1. Compulsory Evacuation of All Residents to designated safe zones, both for their protection and to allow for unimpeded military operations.
2. Military Occupation and Full-Scale Operation to flush out all armed groups and dismantle terror cells. The military must treat Bawku not as a town in conflict, but as a war zone.
3. Intelligence Collaboration with Regional Allies, particularly Burkina Faso and international counter-terrorism units, to stem the cross-border flow of jihadists.
4. Establishment of a Permanent Military Garrison in Bawku, with rapid deployment capabilities.
5. Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Surveillance, including drone monitoring, border fencing, and biometric identification of all returning residents.
Conclusion: The Eyes of the Nation and the World Are Watching
If Ghana fails to act decisively, Bawku will not be the last. Terrorism, like wildfire, spreads where there is fuel. The blood on the border is a warning, one that demands more than sympathy. It demands a bold, unapologetic, and swift national response. Bawku must be secured, not just for the people who live there, but for the integrity of Ghana itself.
It is time to act.
JOHN O.A.DAWONE.
(Security Analyst and Consultant)
Tel.0244801935
