Ghanaian authorities have deployed police reinforcements and armoured vehicles to the town of Nalerigu in the North East Region following arson attacks by angry youths that destroyed two houses.
The incidents, which occurred early on 18 December, have prompted a government-imposed curfew and heightened security measures to prevent further violence.
The unrest began when a group of youths set fire to two houses, amid threats of further arson and attacks on residents. Reports indicate the attacks were preceded by a shooting incident near Walewale on 16 December, where gunmen opened fire on a passenger bus, injuring two people.
In response, the country’s interior minister, Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, announced a curfew from 5pm to 6am local time, effective immediately on 18 December. The measure bans carrying arms, ammunition or offensive weapons, with violators facing arrest.
Additional restrictions prohibit motorbike movement, wearing traditional smocks, selling fuel in containers, and unlawful assemblies. The government has urged chiefs, elders, youths and residents to exercise restraint and pursue non-violent resolutions.
Ghana’s Inspector-General of Police (IGP) stated the reinforcements aim to restore calm, protect lives and property, enforce the curfew, and secure highways for commuters.
Investigations into the arsons are ongoing. As of 19 December, the situation in Nalerigu remains tense but under control**, though no specific gunfire was reported in Bawku’s Sabongari area the previous evening.
The violence stems from the Bawku chieftaincy conflict, a decades-old dispute between the Kusasi and Mamprusi ethnic groups over traditional leadership in the Upper East Region.
Rooted in colonial-era decisions that installed a Mamprusi chief over Kusasi lands, the feud has led to intermittent clashes since 1957. Court rulings have largely favoured the Kusasi claim, but tensions have persisted.
Recent mediation by Ghana’s highly respected Asante king, Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, affirmed Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, a Kusasi, as the legitimate Bawku paramount chief.
The report recommended recalling rival claimant Alhaji Seidu Abagre, a Mamprusi, to Nalerigu for an alternative role or allowing him to remain as a civilian, alongside promoting reconciliation and addressing socio-economic issues. However, dissatisfaction with the outcome appears to have fuelled the Nalerigu attacks, highlighting spill over from Bawku.
Some public commentaries link the violence to wider national stability after the 2024 elections, urging firm action to prevent escalation. Ghana’s northern regions have seen similar chieftaincy-related violence, often exacerbating communal divides and displacing residents.
Authorities emphasise that dialogue remains key to lasting peace, as the country seeks to mitigate such conflicts as the government pushes through with development efforts.
