Residents of Kusaug in the Bawku Municipality of the Upper East Region hooted and angrily chased out of the area, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno.
They were reportedly angrily with COP Yohuno and his team for the deteriorating security situation in the area.
The IGP led a top-level delegation of police operations, investigations and intelligence personnel to Bawku where recent renewed violence has raised serious security concerns.
The visit followed a deadly clash between police and local youth, resulting in the death of one Fuseini Iddrisu.
Five others including a police officer and an immigration officer, sustained gunshot wounds and were being treated at some medical facilities in the Upper East Region.
Security agencies managed to restore calm to Bawku on April 9, 2025 through a coordinated effort between the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Armed Forces.
However, renewed violence erupted on April 10, 2025 when some angry youth allegedly torched the residence of the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bawku, Mr. Mahama Ayariga, in Wiidi, a suburb of Bawku.
Information gathered indicated that the IGP Yohuno together with entourage was chased out of the area immediately after he addressed the youth to end the conflict and take up recruitments in the Ghana Police Service.
Speaking on the incident, the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Akambugri Donatus Atanga, explained that the hooting at the IGP was not a reaction to his call for peace, but rather a display of frustration over the handling of the security situation in the area.
According to him, the residents were displeased with the IGP’s remarks during his visit, particularly the offer of special police recruitment as a condition for laying down arms, because what they seek is an end to the war and the permanence of peace.
Mr Atanga gave the explanation on JoyNews’ Newsfile programme on Saturday, 12 April, 2025.
The youth, he noted, were not impressed with the offer, as they had gathered primarily to demand an end to the ongoing conflict, not to seek preferential treatment in police recruitment.
“The people were not hooting at the IGP because he asked them to give peace a chance.
“But they were not happy when he promised them that they’ll be given priority recruitment into the police because they were asking for employment. They were not happy about how the security agencies have handled the situation in Bawku and that is why they made that noise,” Mr Atanga stated.
The Minister’s remarks suggest a growing disconnect between state interventions and the expectations of residents, particularly the youth, who are calling for more decisive and fair security measures, as well as economic opportunities.
