Bawku
{{Short description|Town and district capital in Upper East Region, Ghana}}
{{For|the Bawku meteorite of 1989|Meteorite falls}}
{{Use Ghanaian English|date=January 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name = Bawku
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|settlement_type = Town & District Capital
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|image_skyline = Bawku, Ghana - panoramio.jpg
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|pushpin_label_position =bottom
|pushpin_map_caption =Location of Bawku in Upper East region
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = Ghana
|subdivision_type1 = Region
|subdivision_name1 = Upper East Region
|subdivision_type2 = District
|subdivision_name2 = Bawku Municipal District
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File:The National Archives UK - CO 1069--99-13 001.jpg
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.[http://www.bawkumunicipal.ghanadistricts.gov.gh/ Bawku Municipal District] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614144235/http://www.bawkumunicipal.ghanadistricts.gov.gh/ |date=June 14, 2013 }}{{cite web
|title=Upper East Region
|work=List of All MMDAs in Ghana
|publisher=A Public - Private Partnership Programme between Min. of Local Govt., Rural Dev. & Environment & Maks Publications & Media Services
|year=2006
|url=http://www.ghanadistricts.org/home/?_=27&sa=3396&PHPSESSID=f21b74ac84c51072602816c30b152068
|access-date=2008-01-01
|url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090805140435/http://www.ghanadistricts.org/home/?_=27&sa=3396&PHPSESSID=f21b74ac84c51072602816c30b152068
|archive-date=2009-08-05
}}{{Cite web|date=2022-01-24|title=4 dead in renewed Bawku chieftaincy violence - MyJoyOnline.com|url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/4-dead-in-renewed-bawku-chieftaincy-violence/|access-date=2022-01-24|website=www.myjoyonline.com|language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Ghana Districts: A repository of all Local Assemblies in Ghana |url=https://ghanadistricts.com/Home/District/146 |access-date=2023-09-20 |website=ghanadistricts.com}} The Municipality was established by Legislative Instrument (L.I) 2103. The municipality has a total land area of about 257 km2. Bawku has a 2021 settlement population of 119,458 people.{{cite web |url=http://bevoelkerungsstatistik.de/wg.php?x=1170623253&men=gcis&lng=de&dat=32&geo=-85&srt=npan&col=aohdq&pt=c&va=x |title=World Gazetteer online |publisher=World-gazetteer.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111172126/http://bevoelkerungsstatistik.de/wg.php?x=1170623253&men=gcis&lng=de&dat=32&geo=-85&srt=npan&col=aohdq&pt=c&va=x |archive-date=2012-01-11 }}{{Cite web |title=Ghana Districts: A repository of all Local Assemblies in Ghana |url=https://www.ghanadistricts.com/Home/District/146 |access-date=2023-09-16 |website=www.ghanadistricts.com}} Hon. Ayariga Mahama is the Member of Parliament for Bawku Central Constituency.{{Cite web |title=Parliament of Ghana |url=https://www.parliament.gh/mps?mp=271 |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=www.parliament.gh}}
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.{{cite web |url=http://www.touringghana.com/regions/uppereast_region.asp |title=Upper East Region Attractions - Ghana Tourism Homepage |publisher=Touringghana.com |access-date=2014-04-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140317232152/http://www.touringghana.com/regions/uppereast_region.asp |archive-date=2014-03-17 }}
Bawku Chieftaincy Conflict
The Bawku conflict dates back to 1957. Recently, the illegal enskinment of Mr. Seidu Abagre as Bawku Naba in 2023 by the Nayire of Nalerigu{{Cite news |date=2023-02-21 |title=Illegal installation of new Bawku Naba: Tension mounts in Nalerigu • Attempt to arrest, Mamprugu overlord, kingmakers foiled • Youth go on rampage, destroy property |url=https://ghanaiantimes.com.gh/illegal-installation-of-new-bawku-naba-tension-mounts-in-nalerigu-attempt-to-arrest-mamprugu-overlord-kingmakers-foiled-youth-go-on-rampage-destroy-property/ |access-date=2024-10-29 |newspaper=Ghanaian Times |language=en }} resulted in a disagreement which resulted in a conflict.{{Cite web |date=2023-02-20 |title=Mamprugu Youth Resist Arrest of Nayiri, Newly Enskinned Bawku Chief |url=https://dailyguidenetwork.com/mamprugu-youth-resist-arrest-of-nayiri-newly-enskinned-bawku-chief/ |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=DailyGuide Network |language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web |date=October 22, 2024 |title=Imposition of Curfew on Bawku Municipality and Its Environs in the Upper East Region |url=https://www.mint.gov.gh/imposition-of-curfew-on-bawku-municipality-and-its-environs-in-the-upper-east-region-130/ |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=Ministry of the Interior - Republic of Ghana |language=en-GB }} 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.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-28 |title=Govt imposes curfew on Bawku after deadly clashes |url=https://citinewsroom.com/2024/10/govt-imposes-curfew-on-bawku-after-deadly-clashes/ |access-date=2024-10-29 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2024-10-28 |title=Curfew imposed on Bawku amid rising tensions, loss of lives |url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/curfew-imposed-on-bawku-amid-rising-tensions-loss-of-lives/ |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=MyJoyOnline |language=en-US }}{{Cite news |date=2024-10-28 |title=Interior Ministry imposes 6:00pm to 6:00am curfew on Bawku |work=3 FM News |url=https://3news.com/news/interior-ministry-imposes-600pm-to-600am-curfew-on-bawku/ |access-date=2024-10-29 |language=en-US}}
= 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.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-28 |title=8 dead in Bawku conflict as gunmen block Bolgatanga-Tamale Highway - MyJoyOnline |url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/8-dead-in-bawku-conflict-as-gunmen-block-bolgatanga-tamale-highway/?myjo |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=www.myjoyonline.com |language=en-US}} Armed assailants had reportedly set up roadblocks in both Gbimsi and Walewale town, stopping vehicles to question passengers.{{Cite web |last=theafricareport |date=2024-11-04 |title=Ghana: Deadly violence in Bawku shuts down life in border town |url=https://www.theafricareport.com/367030/ghana-deadly-violence-in-bawku-shuts-down-life-in-border-town/}} 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.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-01 |title=Bawku Conflict Claims Two More Lives |url=https://dailyguidenetwork.com/bawku-conflict-claims-two-more-lives/ |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=DailyGuide Network |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=GTonline |date=2024-11-05 |title=Bawku chieftaincy conflict:6 more killed, death toll rises to 30 |url=https://ghanaiantimes.com.gh/bawku-chieftaincy-conflict6-more-killed-death-toll-rises-to-30/ |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=Ghanaian Times |language=en}}
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.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-03 |title=Swiftly address escalating Bawku conflict - Hassan Ayariga to govt |url=https://citinewsroom.com/2024/11/swiftly-address-escalating-bawku-conflict-hassan-ayariga-to-govt/ |access-date=2024-11-05 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=modernghana |date=2024-11-03 |title=The Bawku Chieftaincy Dispute: Historical Legitimacy, Political Interference, and the Role of Media |url=https://www.modernghana.com/news/1354023/the-bawku-chieftaincy-dispute-historical-legitima.html}} 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.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-02 |title=ADB temporarily closes Bawku branch amid rising security concerns - MyJoyOnline |url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/adb-temporarily-closes-bawku-branch-amid-rising-security-concerns/ |access-date=2024-11-15 |website=www.myjoyonline.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Ghanaweb |date=2024-11-04 |title=Bawku Conflict: My bodyguard was burnt to ashes - Hassan Ayariga discloses |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Bawku-Conflict-My-bodyguard-was-burnt-to-ashes-Hassan-Ayariga-discloses-1958556}}
On 15 November, 3 people died as a results of rising tensions surrounding the Bawku conflict.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-15 |title=3 more persons die as a result of Bawku conflict |url=https://3news.com/news/3-more-persons-die-as-a-result-of-bawku-conflict/ |access-date=2024-11-15 |language=en-US}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Upper East Region, Ghana}}
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