The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has intensified its security operations in the conflict-prone Bawku in the Upper East Region, following renewed violence and sporadic gunfire that disrupted the area early Monday.
In a strategic move aimed at restoring order, the military launched a cordon and search operation in Binduri, a community within the troubled enclave.
According to a statement issued by the Department of Public Relations of the Ghana Armed Forces, troops from the 11 Mechanised Battalion, operating under the Joint Task Force and supported by the Ghana Police Service, swiftly responded to sporadic gunfire heard near the Binduri Central Market in the early hours of April 21.
The area was immediately cordoned off, and a detailed search was conducted.
The operation led to the arrest of one suspected gunman. Security forces recovered an assortment of weapons and combat materials, including one AK-47 rifle, a G3 rifle, an empty M16 magazine, 370 rounds of M16 and AK-47 ammunition, 128 rounds of G3 ammunition, a machete, four fragmentation jackets, a pair of military-style boots, and one helmet.
The suspect was handed over to the police for further investigation.
Later in the day, the military thwarted an attempted infiltration by unidentified armed men.
A brief exchange of gunfire ensued, but the attackers reportedly fled the scene without further confrontation. The armed forces have since assured the public that the situation is under control and that security personnel remain on high alert to deter any emerging threats.
This latest military action adds to the long-running efforts by the Ghanaian government to quell violence in Bawku, a town that has been plagued by ethnic and chieftaincy conflicts for decades.
The conflict, often rooted in historical tensions between the Mamprusi and Kusasi ethnic groups over traditional leadership, has flared up intermittently, leading to loss of lives, property destruction, and displacement of residents.
Efforts by successive governments, including peace building dialogues, curfews, and military interventions, have only yielded temporary relief.
The region remains a security hotspot, with occasional outbreaks of violence disrupting daily life and economic activity.
In its press release, the GAF reiterated its commitment to collaborating with other security agencies to safeguard peace and security in Bawku.
The military also called on residents and the general public to support ongoing peace efforts and provide information that could help prevent future violence.
–BY Daniel Bampoe
