The sharp crack of gunfire echoes through the streets of Bawku in broad daylight. This isn’t a war between nations or a military conflict, but the harsh reality that residents face daily – a persistent cycle of violence that has become deeply troubling for both development experts and the municipality’s future.
A Municipality Under Siege
Bawku, located in the eastern part of Ghana’s Upper East Region, was once known primarily as an administrative center with promising development potential. Originally established as Bawku East District in 1988 through Legislative Instrument 1439, it evolved over time. In 2004, its southern portion split off to form Garu-Tempane District, and the remaining area was elevated to municipal status. Further administrative changes occurred in 2012 when two additional districts – Binduri and Pusiga – were carved from its territory.
Today, Bawku Municipality occupies 1,257 square kilometers with a population density of 465.6 persons per square kilometer. Its population stands at 119,458, with a slight female majority (51.4%). The municipality shares boundaries with several districts: Pusiga to the East, Binduri to the West, Garu to the South, Tempane to the South-East, and an international border with Burkina Faso to the North.
But since 2021, when an age-old conflict between the Kusasis and Mamprusis reignited, this municipality has been gripped by persistent chaos, denying residents their fundamental right to peace and stability. Despite the inherent aspiration for improved living conditions, the area has endured disproportionate levels of insecurity, fear, and disruption for nearly four years, making the basic quest for a dignified life increasingly unattainable.
Living Under Restrictions
Since the conflict’s resurgence, Bawku residents have lived under a series of curfews, currently restricted from 8 PM to 6 AM – a level of constraint unimaginable to most people worldwide, where freedom of movement is often taken for granted.
Adding to these difficulties, residents can no longer ride motorbikes, previously an essential mode of transportation in the area. This ban forces people to walk or ride bicycles to work and other destinations, causing significant inconvenience, especially for workers traveling long distances.
Hamza Amadu, a former Municipal Chief Executive who served in the previous administration, expressed frustration about stalled infrastructural projects. “The DRIP projects have halted due to fears of worker fatalities,” he explained. “As a result, major roads in Bawku have become impassable. There is no safe haven in the area – anyone can become a victim at any moment.”
Education in Crisis
The conflict’s impact on education has been devastating. Isaac Agbeko Azasoo, Municipal Director of the Ghana Education Service, revealed that the municipality faces a severe shortage of teachers due to massive attrition. “Many quality and experienced teachers, as well as office staff, have fled to nearby districts and other parts of the country, citing insecurity as their primary concern,” he explained.
Alhassan (not his real name), who taught at Jantiga No. 2 JHS, Presby JHS, and Manga JHS for six years, now teaches in the Ashanti Region after receiving a transfer request. “I feared for my life,” he admitted. He recalled a traumatic incident where a colleague was brutally gunned down while running a simple errand.
Though some teachers remain in the area, many are considering leaving if conditions don’t improve. Paul Awinpang Godsway, a teacher at Bawku Senior High School, counts himself among those contemplating relocation.
Classrooms in Chaos
At Winamzua Junior High School, the unrest has created an uncomfortable learning environment. Students from conflict zones have sought safer alternatives, resulting in infrastructure challenges and overcrowding. Classrooms originally designed for 34-40 students now overflow with more than 60 pupils. This surge in enrollment has made it difficult for the few remaining teachers to effectively manage assignments and activities, significantly impacting education quality.
During a visit to Bawku Technical School, students openly shared their concerns. The constant sounds of gunshots severely disrupt their studies, particularly during preparation hours when they need to focus, creating an atmosphere of fear and panic that makes learning exponentially more challenging.
Abolga Mathilda, the Girl Child Education Officer, expressed deep concern about the conflict’s crippling impact on her work. The motorbike ban has severely hindered her ability to visit schools and fulfill her duties. Despite these challenges, she managed to visit only three out of the eight school circuits under her jurisdiction.
The Human Cost
While teachers continue receiving government salaries, the expectation that they will deliver optimal performance is compromised by the challenging environment. Teacher absenteeism rates remain unpredictable, and whenever insecurity escalates – particularly when sporadic shootings occur near schools – authorities must temporarily close schools to ensure student safety.
Mr. Abubakar, a concerned parent and resident, described his distress when schools close due to shootings, forcing his children to return home. His primary worry is their safety during the commute. “If financially possible,” he confessed, “I would relocate my children to a safer location to provide them with better and more secure education.”
Madam Abolga shared a disturbing encounter with a parent who rushed to school to collect their children due to impending shootouts. She also recounted a tragic incident involving a newly posted teacher who was shot dead before collecting his first salary.
Alhassan, the educator who transferred out in 2022, reflected on the conflict’s lasting impact. Having experienced the challenges firsthand, he cannot envision returning to teach in Bawku again.
Failing Sustainable Development
The Sustainable Development Goal 4 aims to ensure everyone has access to quality education and lifelong learning opportunities. It envisions that all children can complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education by 2030. Unfortunately, the current conflict threatens the future of Bawku’s children, leaving Georgina Aberese-Ako, Upper East Regional Acting Director of the Department of Children, deeply concerned about their access to quality education.
Dr. Sadiq Adu-Twum, Executive Director of the Centre for Security, Media and Governance Studies Africa and Lecturer at Pentecost University, emphasizes that the government’s free senior high school program cannot succeed amid the conflict’s negative impact on education. “Security concerns must be addressed to create a conducive environment for education to thrive,” he stressed.
Failed Interventions
The motorbike riding ban, implemented about three years ago as a conflict resolution measure, has caused significant hardship for workers, particularly teachers and service providers. Yet despite this restriction, the conflict persists, raising questions about the ban’s effectiveness in resolving the underlying issues.
David Adoliba, a former regional president of the Ghana Association of Assembly Members, believes the ban has failed to produce positive outcomes in resolving the conflict.
Hope for Resolution
Recently elected President John Dramani Mahama demonstrated his commitment to addressing the situation by visiting Bawku within his first week in office. During this visit, he met with chiefs and community members, reaffirming his pledge to work tirelessly toward restoring peace in the area.
Dr. Adu-Twum acknowledges that resolving the conflict, which has resulted in significant loss of life, presents a formidable challenge. “A peaceful resolution will require strong leadership and the courage of one faction to take a stand and say ‘enough is enough,'” he explained. He also cautioned against using incarceration or aggressive tactics, believing such methods would ultimately prove counterproductive. Instead, stakeholders should focus on fostering dialogue and cooperation to address the underlying issues driving the conflict.
Conclusion: Education Hanging in the Balance
The significance of peace in Bawku cannot be overstated, particularly for education. A peaceful environment is indispensable for optimal learning, enabling students to focus on academic pursuits without the debilitating fear of violence or disruption.
Municipal Education Director Azasoo remains optimistic about Bawku’s educational future but emphasizes that realizing this potential requires collective effort from all stakeholders to address the underlying differences currently hindering progress.
The concerns raised by parents, education officers, teachers, and other stakeholders underscore the urgent need for concerted efforts to establish peace. The people of Bawku eagerly anticipate tangible actions from the government, traditional leaders, and community members to address the underlying issues perpetuating the conflict.
However, one is reminded that the future of these young minds hangs in the balance. It’s a sobering reality, but one that also offers hope. For amid conflict and chaos, voices still cry out for education, knowledge, and a chance to thrive.
