Tension is rising in the Kusaug area of the Upper East Region as angry youth
express deep frustration and disappointment at President John Dramani Mahama's
handling of the ongoing Bawku conflict. The Kusasi youth, who claim they
supported Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) during the last
election because of promises to end the violence, are now accusing him of
turning his back on them.
During a press briefing held on April 6, 2025, the youth group made it clear
that their support was based on Mahama's campaign promise to bring peace to the
troubled Bawku area. They said they had high hopes that his leadership would
mark a turning point in the conflict that has taken many lives over the years.
However, they now feel used and betrayed as the conflict continues to escalate,
with more bloodshed and no clear solution in sight.
The group reminded the President of his campaign words and stated that
Kusaug massively rejected the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and voted for the NDC
out of trust that Mahama would fix the problem once and for all. They also
recalled that the President had publicly recognised Naana Asigri Azorka II as
the legitimate overlord of Kusaug, a matter they believe is not in dispute. So,
the youth are now asking what has changed since Mahama took over as President.
In their own words, they said they never expected it would take this long
for the President to take concrete steps toward resolving the issue. Instead,
they say the situation has worsened since Mahama assumed office just three
months ago. According to them, more than 18 people, including women and
children, have been killed in the recent wave of violence in the area.
The youth expressed their pain over the continued loss of lives and the lack
of government action. They stated clearly that they now feel abandoned and
neglected despite their strong support for the President. The group accused
Mahama of benefiting from their votes and then forgetting the promises he made
during his campaign.
They criticised what they see as a trend among politicians who only remember
the Bawku conflict during elections but fail to act once they win power. The
group believes politicians use the Bawku issue to gain votes and then move on without
addressing the root causes of the crisis. They said this cycle of promises and
disappointments has left the people of Kusaug tired and hopeless.
The youth warned that their disappointment could turn into serious political
apathy if the situation is not resolved soon. They threatened that in the next
general elections in 2028, politicians may be shocked to see empty ballot boxes
in Bawku, as the people are no longer willing to be used for political gain.
They made it clear that the community cannot continue to live in fear while
leaders sit back and do nothing. The group demanded urgent and visible steps
from the government to end the violence and restore peace. They called for a
genuine commitment to resolving the conflict, not just promises that fade after
elections.
The Bawku conflict, which is deeply rooted in chieftaincy disputes and
ethnic divisions, has been a long-standing security concern in northern Ghana.
Several governments have tried, with little success, to bring a permanent
solution. The current government under Mahama had raised new hopes among many
in the region, but those hopes appear to be fading fast.
Residents say the conflict has affected economic activities, displaced
families, and left communities in constant fear. The youth added that
development projects have stalled in the area because of insecurity, and many
children can no longer attend school safely. Businesses have shut down, and
farmers cannot go to their farms freely. They also noted that the fear of being
attacked has affected their daily lives and mental health.
The group believes that if nothing is done urgently, the situation may
spiral further out of control. They urged the President to honour his word and
show leadership by taking immediate steps to calm the tensions. They said they
are ready to support any peace process that will end the suffering of their
people, but they need to see real action from the government.
For now, the Kusaug youth say they are watching and waiting, but their
patience is running out. Their message to President Mahama is clear: deliver on
your promise and end the Bawku conflict. They say peace cannot wait any longer,
and neither can the people of Kusaug.
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