Bawku Conflict: No Work for gov’t institutions in 6 districts today – Kusaug youth demand immediate erection of Zugdaan Statue [details]

Tensions in the volatile Bawku enclave have taken a new dimension, with residents in the Kusaug Traditional Area declaring a civil shutdown across six districts today, July 14, 2025.

The action follows the reported destruction of a statue believed to represent Zugdaan, a revered figure of Kusaug identity, amid the intensifying ethnic conflict with the Mamprugu faction.

A notice circulating within the Kusasi community and reaching ABC News GH read: “No work for govt institutions in 6 districts in Kusaug starting tomorrow 14-07-25. Erect Zugdaan’s statue now.”

The development is seen as a reaction to the alleged dismantling of the statue by unknown individuals, an act that has sparked outrage across Kusaug settlements.

The destruction of the statue is believed to have followed a violent Sunday in which four individuals were killed on the Bolga–Bawku road and multiple others injured.

These killings, according to earlier reports, may be linked to an alleged Facebook post from a Mamprugu youth group declaring war on the Kusasis.

The message warned Kusasi people and those traveling in their company not to traverse specific territories until conditions deemed “safe” were met.

There has been no official communication from the security services regarding the killings, the statue’s removal, or the shutdown of public services.

ABC News GH will today speak to national security agencies to confirm these happenings.

As of this report, calm remains fragile, with fears that the situation could spiral into further violence if decisive interventions are not made.

Community leaders and peace actors are urging restraint while calling on the government to swiftly mediate and ensure justice on both sides.