The Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has directed for the reopening of several courts in the Upper East Region, effective immediately.
This decision comes after a temporary closure due to the ongoing conflict situation in Bawku, which had raised concerns about safety and operational capacity.
According to a memorandum from the Judicial Secretary dated November 8, 2024, the following courts will resume operations:
- High Court, Bolgatanga
- Circuit Court, Bolgatanga
- District Court, Bolgatanga
- District Court, Bongo
The registrars of these courts have been instructed to take note of the reopening and ensure that all necessary arrangements are made for a smooth resumption of judicial activities.
Meawhile, a 61-year-old man, known locally as OB and known for seeking alms has been killed in Mazema, a suburb of Bawku.
This incident, which took place on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, adds to the rising death toll in Bawku’s renewed conflict, bringing the count to 22 lives lost in recent clashes.
The area had experienced a period of calm, but tensions reignited with the return of Alhaji Seidu Abagre, a rival chief who had been in exile since February 2023 due to a longstanding chieftaincy dispute.
Abagre initially left Bawku following an arrest warrant issued after his contentious installation as chief in Nalerigu.
However, a recent High Court ruling in Kumasi on October 17, 2024, cleared the legal obstacles preventing his return, quashing the warrant and allowing him to come back to the community.
Upon Abagre’s return to Bawku on October 26, the fragile peace in the area quickly deteriorated, leading to a series of violent confrontations.
Initial gunfire incidents claimed two lives and left multiple residents injured, escalating a conflict rooted in decades-old chieftaincy disputes.
Community members are now on edge, deeply concerned about the potential for more violence as the dispute continues to simmer.
In response to the rising tensions, security forces have implemented a strict 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. curfew across Bawku, aiming to curb further violence and restore order.
The government and local authorities are urging community leaders and residents to engage in peaceful dialogue, though the path to lasting peace remains uncertain given the deep-seated nature of the conflict.
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