The town of Bawku in Ghana’s Upper East Region has once again become the epicenter of deadly violence, as the ongoing chieftaincy dispute continues to tear through the community. This week, at least three people were killed in the latest round of clashes, which have escalated fears that the region’s instability could spiral further out of control. The violence, which also saw the torching of houses in the Daduri suburb, has highlighted the deep-seated and unresolved tensions that have plagued Bawku for decades.

The conflict, rooted in a long-standing chieftaincy rivalry, flared up again with the return of Seidu Abagre, a rival chief whose presence in the town is believed to have reignited violent clashes between opposing factions. According to security sources, Abagre’s return has exacerbated existing tensions, renewing a bitter struggle for control of traditional leadership in the area. The clashes, which have intensified in recent weeks, have left the town reeling, with at least 26 people confirmed dead since the start of October 2024 alone.

The Resurgence of the Chieftaincy Dispute

Bawku has been the site of cyclical violence for decades, fueled by competing claims to the title of chief. These disputes, often underpinned by ethnic and cultural differences, have resulted in numerous fatalities and have left the town deeply divided. The arrival of Seidu Abagre, who has a claim to the chieftaincy from a rival faction, is seen as a catalyst for the latest wave of violence.