The youth of Kusaug in the Upper East Region have raised a strong and emotional call for justice, following what they describe as an unprovoked attack by security personnel in Bawku. Addressing the media on April 10, 2025, leaders of the Kusaug Youth Movement alleged that the recent shooting incident that claimed one life and left others injured was not an isolated occurrence, but part of a long-standing pattern of mistreatment, neglect, and state inaction.
Speaking during a press conference, the group condemned what they called the increasing brutality of security forces against unarmed civilians in the area. According to them, on April 9, 2025, truckloads of police officers arrived in Bawku to facilitate what the youth believe was a coordinated plan to allow entry of individuals they described as threats to peace in the community. The youth explained that after discovering the development, they peacefully approached the police officers to seek answers, but without any provocation, the officers allegedly opened fire, resulting in the loss of life and several injuries.
The group tied this recent incident to the broader conflict in Bawku, which stems from a longstanding chieftaincy dispute. While the legal outcome of the matter was settled in favor of the Kusasi people years ago, tensions remain. They claim that the Mamprusi settlers, despite being in the minority, have benefited from state protection and collaboration with the security services to undermine peace efforts led by the Kusasi community.
The youth also alleged that some political figures and security heads are enabling Mamprusi groups to infiltrate their newly established market, which had been created to ensure separation for the sake of peace. They accused the security officers of not acting neutrally and claimed that some officers were observed assisting Mamprusi individuals with supplies from the Kusasi market, thereby breaching the spirit of impartial peacekeeping.
In a strongly worded statement, the Kusaug youth accused the state of ignoring the plight of its citizens and allowing injustices to persist. They pointed fingers at the government for failing to implement decisive action to end the violence, and at some members of Parliament from the region, whom they accused of betraying their trust. The youth said these leaders had used the Bawku conflict as a campaign tool but have gone silent since assuming office.
According to the press release, there is growing discontent among the people of Kusaug over the failure to arrest and prosecute individuals perceived to be contributing to the instability. Specifically, they called for the arrest of Seidu Abagre, whom they described as an imposter in the chieftaincy matter. The presence of Abagre, they claim, has been a source of friction in the area, and they expressed disappointment in the current administration for not taking a firm stand on the issue despite previous assurances.
The statement also included a warning to the six Members of Parliament and government officials from the Kusaug kingdom to refrain from visiting the area until they demonstrate clear and sincere efforts to address the concerns of the people. The youth emphasized that their patience is wearing thin and that they would no longer tolerate what they describe as political hypocrisy and failure to act.
Their demands included the immediate cessation of all military and police escorts to and from Bawku, the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the April 9 shootings, the removal of all current security heads in Bawku, and an independent international investigation into the alleged killings and abuses by security personnel.
The youth maintained that they are not calling for violence but rather for fairness, justice, and the protection of human rights. They appealed to the government to respond not with force, but with action that promotes peace, lawfulness, and equal treatment for all communities.
With tensions remaining high, the youth leaders reiterated their call for an end to what they described as systemic injustice in their homeland. They called on national and international observers to pay attention to the situation in Bawku, emphasizing that the youth of Kusaug will no longer remain silent.
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Nice press release kudos to you guys