Bawku

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Bawku
Town & District Capital
Bawku, Ghana - panoramio.jpg
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Bawku
Location of Bawku in Upper East region
Coordinates: 11°3′36″N0°14′24″W / 11.06000°N 0.24000°W / 11.06000; -0.24000
CountryGhana
Region Upper East Region
District Bawku Municipal District
Population
 (2012)
 • Total
69,527 [1]
Time zone GMT
 • Summer (DST) GMT
Bawku Agricultural Show, 1959 The National Archives UK - CO 1069--99-13 001.jpg
Bawku Agricultural Show, 1959

Bawku is a town and is the capital of the Bawku Municipal District, district in the Upper East region of north Ghana, adjacent to the border with Burkina Faso. [2] [3] [4] It is located approximately between latitudes 11o 111 and 100 401 North and longitude 0o 181w and 0o 61 E in the north-eastern corner of the region.  The municipality has a total land area of about 257 km2. [5] The Municipality was established by Legislative Instrument (L.I) 2103. [5] The municipality has a total land area of about 257 km2. [5] Bawku has a 2021 settlement population of 119,458 people. [1] [6] Hon. Ayariga Mahama is the Member of Parliament for Bawku Central Constituency. [7]

Contents

Cultural and tourist sites

Naa Gbewaa Shrine

The "tomb" of, Naa Gbewaa, the founder of the Mamprusi, Dagomba, and Nanumba tribes, is located just a few kilometers from Bawku in Pusiga in the Upper East Region of Ghana. Legend states that Naa Gbewaa never died but simply vanished into the ground. The shrine was thought to have been built in the 14th century in commemoration of Naa Gbewaa, and is today a place of spiritual reverence. [8]

Bawku Chieftaincy Conflict

The illegal enskinment of an imposter Mr. Seidu Abagre as Bawku Naba in 2023 by the Nayire of Nalerigu [9] resulted in a disagreement which resulted in a conflict. [10] He has subsequently been exiled since his enskinment.

On 22 October 2024, the Ministry of Interior in Ghana imposed a curfew from 10pm to 4am each in Bawku Municipality due to rising tensions from a chieftaincy dispute. [11] There was a total ban on all persons in the afore-mentioned communities and their environs from carrying arms, ammunition or any offensive weapons. Another curfew was imposed on 28 October 2024 until further notice. [12] [13] [14]

2024

On 28 October 2024, an attack on the Bolgatanga-Tamale highway near Gbimsi, close to Walewale in northern Ghana, led to the deaths of eight travelers. [15] Armed assailants had reportedly set up roadblocks in both Gbimsi and Walewale town, stopping vehicles to question passengers. [16] Eyewitnesses stated that the attack lasted over an hour, during which two vehicles were set on fire. The incident raised security concerns in the region, with reports indicating a possible link to the ongoing Bawku chieftancy conflict, which had recently resurfaced after a period of calm. [17] [18]

On November 3, 2024, Hassan Ayariga, the Presidential Candidate of the All People’s Congress (APC), expressed concerns about the escalating Bawku conflict, which has resulted in over 21 deaths and threatens the 2024 elections. [19] [20] He urged the government to take swift action and called on community leaders to advocate for peace. The violence, intensified by the return of a rival chief, has led to school and business closures [21] [22] .

On 15 November, 3 people died as a results of rising tensions surrounding the Bawku conflict. [23]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dagomba people</span> Ethnic group in Ghana

The Dagbamba or Dagomba are an ethnic group of Ghana, and Togo. They number more than 3.1 million people. The term Dagbamba is originally extended to refer to other related peoples who were unified by Naa Gbewaa including the Mamprusi and Nanumba. The Dagomba country is called Dagbon and they speak Dagbanli language. Dagbanli is the most spoken language of northern Ghana and second most widely spoken local language of Ghana. Dagbanli belongs to the Mabia (Mole-Dagbani) subgroup of the Gur languages, a large group of related languages in West Africa. The Dagomba practises both patrilineal and matrilineal systems of inheritance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Upper East Region</span> Region of Ghana

The Upper East Region is located in northern part of Ghana and it is the third smallest of the 16 administrative regions in Ghana. It occupies a total land surface of 8,842 square kilometers or 2.7% of the total land area of Ghana. The regional capital is Bolgatanga, which is sometimes referred to as Bolga. Other major towns in the region include Navrongo, Paga, Sandema, Bawku, and Zebilla, Tempane, Pusiga, Garu, Pwalugu, Widana

<span class="mw-page-title-main">East Mamprusi Municipal Assembly</span> District in North East region, Ghana

East Mamprusi Municipal Assembly is one of the six districts in North East Region, Ghana. Originally created as an ordinary district assembly in 1988 when it was known as East Mamprusi District, which was created from the former Mamprusi District Council, until the eastern part of the district was split off by a decree of president John Agyekum Kufuor on 19 August 2004 to create Bunkpurugu-Yunyoo District; thus the remaining part has been retained as East Mamprusi District. However on 15 March 2018, it was elevated to municipal district assembly status to become East Mamprusi Municipal District. The municipality is located in the eastern part of North East Region and has Gambaga as its capital town.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Mamprusi Municipal Assembly</span> District in North East region, Ghana

West Mamprusi Municipal Assembly is one of the six districts in North East Region, Ghana. Originally created as an ordinary district assembly in 1988 when it was known as West Mamprusi District, which was created from the former Mamprusi District Council, until the western part of the district was split off on 28 June 2012 to create Mamprugu-Moagduri District; thus the remaining part has been retained as West Mamprusi District. However, on 15 March 2018, it was elevated to municipal district assembly status to become West Mamprusi Municipal District. The municipality is located in the western part of North East Region and has Walewale as its capital town. Other settlements within the municipal assembly include Wulugu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mossi Kingdoms</span> Historical kingdoms in modern-day Burkina Faso

The Mossi Kingdoms, were a group of kingdoms in modern-day Burkina Faso that dominated the region of the upper Volta river for hundreds of years. The largest Mossi kingdom was that of Ouagadougou. The king of Ouagadougou, known as the Mogho Naaba, or King of All the World, served as the Emperor of all the Mossi. The first kingdom was founded when warriors from the ancient Great Naa Gbewaa kingdom in present-day Ghana region and Mandé warriors moved into the area and intermarried with local people. The different kingdom's consolidation of political and military power began in the 13th century, leading to conflicts between the Mossi kingdoms and other nearby powerful states. In 1896, the French took over the kingdoms and created the French Upper Volta colony, which for many decades largely governed using the Mossi administrative structure.

Mamprusis are an ethnic group in northern Ghana and Togo. Estimates are that there are about 200,000 Mamprusis living in the Northern Regions of Ghana as of 2013. They speak Mampruli, one of the Gur languages. In Ghana, the Mamprusis live mainly in Nalerigu, Gambaga, Walewale, and their surrounding towns and villages in the North East Region. Their origin is in the Upper East Region, principally, Bawku, and they also inhabit parts of the Upper West Region, too.

Naa Gbewaa is the founder of the Kingdom of Dagbon, in what is now northern Ghana. His sons and daughters are credited with founding several states⁣, including the Mossi Kingdoms of Burkina Faso. He established a stable and prosperous kingdom. Naa Gbewaa's shrine is located at Pusiga, 90 km east of Bolgatanga. His descendants continue to pay respects at the shrine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nalerigu</span> Capital town of North East Region, Ghana

Nalerigu is the largest town in the East Mamprusi Municipal. It is home to the overlord of the kingdom of Mampurugu (NaYiri). With the addition of 6 new regions in 2018, Nalerigu was declared the capital of the North East Region of Ghana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Damba festival</span>

The Damba festival is the largest festival in Ghana, celebrated by the peoples of the Northern, Savanna, North East, Upper East and Upper West Regions of Ghana. In recent times, Damba has become a multinational festival, attracting visitors from all over the world. The festival is annually celebrated in Germany, USA, and UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walewale</span> District Capital in North East Region, Ghana

Walewale is a town and the capital of Mamprusi West Municipal in the North East Region of Ghana. The West Mamprusi Municipal is one of the 261 Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in Ghana, and forms part of the 6 MMDAs in the North East Region. The West Mamprusi Municipality is one of 45 new districts created in 1988 under the Government of Ghana’s decentralization and was later replaced with LI 2061 in 2012. With its administrative capital as Walewale.

Bimbilla is the capital town of Nanumba North District, a district in the Northern Region of Ghana. It is located in the East of the region, and is near the Oti River. The location is situated within the range of 8.5° north to 9.25° north latitude, and between 0.57° east to 0.5° east longitude. It borders five municipalities: Yendi Municipal to the north, Mion Municipal to the northwest, East Gonja Municipal to the west and southwest, Nanumba South Municipal to the south and east, and Zabzugu Municipal to the north-northeast.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mahama Ayariga</span> Ghanaian lawyer and politician

Mahama Ayariga is a lawyer and politician in Ghana. He belongs to the National Democratic Congress. He was the Minister of Information and Media Relations and the Minister of Youth and Sports under the John Dramani Mahama administration. He is currently the Member of Parliament representing Bawku Central constituency of the Upper East Region of Ghana in the 4th, 6th and 7th Parliament of the 4th Republic of Ghana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kingdom of Dagbon</span> Traditional kingdom in Ghana

The Kingdom of Dagbon is the oldest and one of the most organised traditional kingdoms in Ghana founded by the Dagomba people (Dagbamba) in the 15th century. During its rise, it comprised, at various points, the Northern, Upper West, Upper East, Savannah Region and North East regions of present-day Ghana. It also covered portions of Burkina Faso, North East Ivory Coast and North West Togo. Since Ghana's independence in 1957, the Kingdom just like all of Ghana's kingdoms and ethnic states has assumed a traditional, customary role.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nanumba people</span> Mole-Dagbon ethnic group in North East of Ghana

The Nanumba people are an ethnic group whose traditional homeland is in the southeast of the Northern Region of Ghana. They speak Nanugli, a Gur language.

Adam Amandi (1918–2006) was an Educationist, Farmer, Environmentalist and Ghanaian politician. He was a three-time Member of Parliament, and a senior member of the Busia Administration. He was a true blue, blue blooded founding member of the Northern People's Party, its various iterations—-United Party, Progress Party, Popular Front Party, and the New Patriotic Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North East Region, Ghana</span> Region of Ghana

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gariba II</span> Traditional ruler of the Kingdom of Dagbon in Ghana

Bukali II, known as Gariba II, is the current Yaa Naa, traditional ruler of the Kingdom of Dagbon in Northern Ghana.

Fati Seidu is a Ghanaian politician who was the member of the Second parliament of the Fourth republic representing the Bawku Central constituency in the Upper East Region of Ghana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trey Haun</span> US-born Ghanaian unicyclist

Roger William Haun III is a US-born Ghanaian unicyclist. He is the first person to win medals at the Unicycle World Championships for Ghana by taking a silver and bronze in 2022 as well as gold and bronze in 2024.

Pusiga is a town in the Upper East Region of Ghana.

References

  1. 1 2 "World Gazetteer online". World-gazetteer.com. Archived from the original on 11 January 2012.
  2. ↑ Bawku Municipal District Archived June 14, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ↑ "Upper East Region". List of All MMDAs in Ghana. A Public - Private Partnership Programme between Min. of Local Govt., Rural Dev. & Environment & Maks Publications & Media Services. 2006. Archived from the original on 5 August 2009. Retrieved 1 January 2008.
  4. ↑ "4 dead in renewed Bawku chieftaincy violence - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. 24 January 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 "Ghana Districts: A repository of all Local Assemblies in Ghana". ghanadistricts.com. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  6. ↑ "Ghana Districts: A repository of all Local Assemblies in Ghana". www.ghanadistricts.com. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  7. ↑ "Parliament of Ghana". www.parliament.gh. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  8. ↑ "Upper East Region Attractions - Ghana Tourism Homepage". Touringghana.com. Archived from the original on 17 March 2014. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  9. ↑ "Illegal installation of new Bawku Naba: Tension mounts in Nalerigu • Attempt to arrest, Mamprugu overlord, kingmakers foiled • Youth go on rampage, destroy property". Ghanaian Times . 21 February 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  10. ↑ "Mamprugu Youth Resist Arrest of Nayiri, Newly Enskinned Bawku Chief". DailyGuide Network. 20 February 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  11. ↑ "Imposition of Curfew on Bawku Municipality and Its Environs in the Upper East Region". Ministry of the Interior - Republic of Ghana. 22 October 2024. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  12. ↑ "Govt imposes curfew on Bawku after deadly clashes". 28 October 2024. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  13. ↑ "Curfew imposed on Bawku amid rising tensions, loss of lives". MyJoyOnline. 28 October 2024. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  14. ↑ "Interior Ministry imposes 6:00pm to 6:00am curfew on Bawku". 3 FM News. 28 October 2024. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  15. ↑ "8 dead in Bawku conflict as gunmen block Bolgatanga-Tamale Highway - MyJoyOnline". www.myjoyonline.com. 28 October 2024. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  16. ↑ theafricareport (4 November 2024). "Ghana: Deadly violence in Bawku shuts down life in border town".
  17. ↑ "Bawku Conflict Claims Two More Lives". DailyGuide Network. 1 November 2024. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  18. ↑ GTonline (5 November 2024). "Bawku chieftaincy conflict:6 more killed, death toll rises to 30". Ghanaian Times. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  19. ↑ "Swiftly address escalating Bawku conflict - Hassan Ayariga to govt". 3 November 2024. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  20. ↑ modernghana (3 November 2024). "The Bawku Chieftaincy Dispute: Historical Legitimacy, Political Interference, and the Role of Media".
  21. ↑ "ADB temporarily closes Bawku branch amid rising security concerns - MyJoyOnline". www.myjoyonline.com. 2 November 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  22. ↑ Ghanaweb (4 November 2024). "Bawku Conflict: My bodyguard was burnt to ashes - Hassan Ayariga discloses".
  23. ↑ "3 more persons die as a result of Bawku conflict". 15 November 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.

11°03′N0°14′W / 11.050°N 0.233°W / 11.050; -0.233

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