Residents of Bawku Central, including the youth, chiefs, and elders, have
openly expressed their disappointment with their Member of Parliament, Hon.
Mahama Ayariga. The people of the constituency have threatened to vote him out
in the 2028 general election, citing dissatisfaction with his handling of the
ongoing conflict in Bawku and the alleged unprofessional conduct of the
military in the area.
A group known as the "Freedom Fighters" held a press conference to
voice their concerns, stating that they regret voting for both President John
Dramani Mahama and Mahama Ayariga in the last election. They accused the
government of turning a blind eye to the continued military brutalities against
Kusaasi people in Bawku and its surroundings.
The group accused the government of failing to address the concerns of
Kusaug people, despite several press conferences condemning the military’s
actions. They claimed that under the current administration, military violence
in Bawku has escalated beyond what was experienced under the previous
government. The group particularly expressed outrage over an incident on March
28, 2025, when soldiers allegedly assaulted Kusaasi women in the market square.
According to them, this happened after the military escorted Mamprusi women
into the market to buy foodstuffs, but Kusaasi women refused to sell to them.
This refusal reportedly led to severe beatings by the soldiers, leaving some
victims hospitalized.
The residents are demanding answers from the authorities, insisting that
whoever ordered the military to carry out the attacks should be identified and
held accountable. They have also warned their fellow Kusaasi women not to sell
anything to the Mamprusis, even if the military attempts to intervene. They
threatened to take action against any Kusaasi woman who disobeys this
directive.
The press conference further revealed allegations that military forces
recently stormed several communities within Bawku, attacking residents and
damaging properties such as televisions, refrigerators, and windows. The group
questioned whether this was a reward for the overwhelming support they gave to
the ruling party in the last election. They warned that such acts of violence
would not be tolerated any longer.
The residents expressed disappointment in the government’s failure to honor
its campaign promise of resolving the Bawku conflict. During his campaign tour,
President Mahama assured the overlord of Kusaug, Zugraan Naaba Abugraugo
Asigiri Azoka II, and the people of Kusaug that he would prioritize lasting
peace in Bawku. He had publicly declared that there was no chieftaincy dispute
in Bawku and that the overlord of Kusaug was the only legitimate leader
recognized by the government. However, the residents now feel betrayed,
accusing the government of failing to take decisive action to end the conflict.
They lamented that since the president assumed office, about 18 people,
including women and children, have lost their lives due to the ongoing violence
in Bawku. They called on the government to arrest Seidu Abagre, whom they
identified as a key figure behind the unrest. The group issued a stern warning
that if their demand is not met within two weeks, they will insist on the
withdrawal of the military from Bawku so that they can take matters into their
own hands to restore peace.
Hon. Mahama Ayariga also came under heavy criticism, with the residents
accusing him of siding with his maternal relatives, the Mamprusis, at the
expense of the Kusaasi people. They claimed that his recent actions have
demonstrated his allegiance to the Mamprusis, despite previously portraying
himself as a defender of Kusaasi interests. They recalled his silence following
the killing of a woman and her two children near his residence and accused him
of doing nothing to address the military’s brutality in the area. The group
further alleged that Ayariga was facilitating the movement of arms into
Mamprusi territories, thereby worsening the situation in Bawku.
The residents vowed that Mahama Ayariga’s tenure in Parliament would end
after the 2028 elections, emphasizing that they have learned from their past
mistakes and will not be deceived by false promises again. They also warned the
leadership of the ruling party that they will suffer the same fate as the
previous government if they fail to bring a lasting solution to the Bawku
conflict.
In their demands, they insisted that Seidu Abagre must be arrested
immediately and that necessary steps should be taken to bring an end to the
crisis. They also demanded that the military put an end to what they described
as biased operations against the Kusaasi people. If their demands are not met,
they threatened to invoke the gods of the land to take action against those
responsible for their suffering.
The call for intervention was extended to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu
II, urging him to speed up efforts to mediate the crisis and prevent further
bloodshed. The residents believe that politicians have been exploiting the
conflict for their own gains and warned that their patience is running out.
They emphasized that if the government fails to act swiftly, they will take
matters into their own hands to restore peace in the region.
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