a file photo representing unknown gunmen
Approximately 83 persons have lost their lives in all related violence allegedly linked to the ongoing Bawku conflict since October 2024, according to a citinewsroom.com report.
The report stated that, “Since the resurgence of the conflict in October 2024, at least 83 people have lost their lives in related violence.”
It added that in recent weeks, tensions have been high after a police shooting that claimed a life in the area, leading to the youth expressing anger and eventually retaliating.
On Wednesday, April 9, 2025, the sub-chief, Naba Atamburi, together with his two family members, were attacked, with all of them sustaining series of injuries, with one of them losing his life upon reaching the hospital.
According to the report on citinewsroom.com, some gunmen stormed the palace of the local sub-chief at Poayamire, a community in the Binduri District, in the night and killed one person and left two others injured.
The injured were rushed to the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital for emergency treatment, but one of the injured died on the way.
While the motive behind the attack remains unclear, residents believe it may be linked to the ongoing Bawku conflict.
Security forces are yet to issue an official statement on the latest incident.
Investigations are, meanwhile, ongoing, as authorities work to restore calm to the troubled region.
In a recent update, President John Dramani Mahama has come under intense criticism from aggrieved Kusasi youth over the escalating tensions in the Bawku area.
According to the youth, they voted overwhelmingly for Mahama with the hopes that his administration would resolve the longstanding Bawku conflict — a promise he made during his campaign.
However, the report said the youth now feel like the president has abandoned their plight, with violence worsening in the area, even as lives continue to be lost since he assumed office three months ago.
“Mr President, when we heard your promise to bring a lasting solution to the Bawku conflict, we were overwhelmed with hope and thought the NDC was our saviour. That is why Kusaug gave the NPP zero and voted massively for the NDC.
“Mr President, you yourself acknowledged that the Overlord, Naana Asigri Azorka II, is the legitimate chief of Kusaug — and everyone knows that. So, what has changed, Mr President? We never expected that it would take you so long to resolve the Bawku issue after we voted you into power,” the group stated at a press briefing.
The group further lamented the worsening security situation in the area, stating that rather than the promised peace, the region has seen increased bloodshed under President Mahama’s tenure.
“Your Excellency, did you know that since you assumed office as President, more than 18 people, including women and children, have been killed in this Bawku conflict? Is that what you intended, Mr President?” they added.
Expressing deep disappointment, the youth accused President John Dramani Mahama of using their support for political gain, criticising the tendency of politicians to exploit the Bawku conflict for votes, without delivering genuine solutions.
“We now realise that politicians have been using the Bawku conflict for their own selfish political advantage. They keep deceiving us with false promises of peace just to win our votes,” they stated.
On the back of this, the group has hinted at possible electoral apathy in future polls.
“It will shock politicians to see empty ballot boxes in 2028 with not a single vote cast. We are tired of the lies and broken promises of politicians,” they concluded, the report indicated.
VA/AE
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