By Issah Olegor
Ghana’s Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has revealed that he defied intelligence reports and personal security warnings to enter the volatile Bawku enclave in the Upper East Region—an area gripped by escalating ethnic violence—because his officers were under siege.
Speaking during a visit to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, on May 10, the IGP recounted his harrowing journey into the conflict zone amid active gunfire and burned security facilities.
His comments came as part of wider peace building engagements being championed by Otumfuo and other national stakeholders to restore calm to the area.
“Recently, I visited Bawku when our men were seriously attacked. There was a threat of small, serious attacks on their lives. When I got to Bawku, the whole place was in flames,” Yohuno said.
“Everywhere was burning. All our personnel, where they were staying, was set on fire. That led me to rush to Bawku.”
Despite warnings from security intelligence in Bolgatanga that it was too dangerous to proceed, Yohuno said he made a personal decision to continue the journey.
“When I got to Bolga, the intelligence I had was that it would be difficult for me to enter. I said, my men are already trapped there, so how can I end my journey in Bolga?” he told Otumfuo.
Ambushed
IGP Yohuno’s decision came just days after his convoy was fired upon during a visit to the same town on April 11, 2025. Gunmen—suspected to be armed youth from the Kusasi ethnic group—opened fire on the IGP’s bulletproof vehicle during a security assessment tour.
One officer was injured in the attack, underscoring the deepening lawlessness in the municipality.
The IGP, newly appointed at the time, was attempting to get a firsthand understanding of the security dynamics in Bawku, a town long plagued by deadly disputes between the Mamprusi and Kusasi ethnic groups over chieftaincy claims.
These tensions have endured for decades, occasionally flaring into open conflict despite repeated government mediation efforts.
His attempted dialogue with the youth was marred by public outrage following a statement he made suggesting police recruitment opportunities for disarmed youth—a proposal that was widely criticized as tone-deaf.
According to Upper East Regional, Minister Akambugri Donatus Atanga, the youth were not angry at the IGP’s peace call, but at what they saw as a dismissive response to deep-rooted grievances.
“They want the fighting to stop and peace to return—not token promises,” Atanga told JoyNews.
Public Clarification
In response to the backlash, Yohuno issued a clarification, stating that his comments were intended to encourage youth participation in national service, including the police force—provided they meet standard recruitment criteria.
“I did not suggest that anyone would bypass the recruitment process,” he said. “It was about inclusion, not privilege.”
While in Bawku, the IGP also met with traditional authorities, including the Bawku Naba.
He called for national forgiveness, acknowledging that the conduct of some security personnel during the conflict might have worsened tensions.
“We may go wrong somewhere,” Yohuno admitted. “We need national forgiveness for what happened.”
Otumfuo Steps In
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s mediation in the Bawku crisis is being widely welcomed by security stakeholders.
The Asantehene’s stature and experience in conflict resolution have given many hope that a durable solution may finally emerge.
“When we heard of your plan to help resolve the problem in Bawku, that brought a lot of relief to us. The military, police, and all other security personnel are very happy for your intervention,” Yohuno said, expressing gratitude for Otumfuo’s involvement.
Wider Implications
The recent developments in Bawku have reignited national debate about how the government is managing volatile conflict zones.
Civil society groups and opposition parties are calling for more proactive, systemic interventions, including inclusive dialogue, socio-economic development, and justice for victims of violence.
President John Mahama, though under criticism for his administration’s response, condemned the attacks on security officials and emphasized the need for collective action to restore peace in the region.
