…as Kusasi Community Pushes to Oust Security Forces – Insider Discloses
By Prince Ahenkorah
In the restive Bawku region, tensions are reaching a boiling point, as insider sources have revealed to The New Republic that the Kusasi community is actively working to expel security forces from their land. This move has coincided with a sharp rise in violent attacks targeting police and military personnel.
The most recent incident involved the tragic killing of two plain-clothed police officers by suspected armed robbers on Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Poyamirea, near Binduri. The officers, who were on private motorbikes en route from Bongo to Binduri, were ambushed, shot, and their motorcycles were stolen.
The Ghana Police Service, through its Public Affairs Directorate, confirmed the officers’ deaths and announced a manhunt to capture the perpetrators.
A dependable source within the volatile area painted a bleak picture of increasing anti-security sentiments among certain segments of the Kusasi community. The source disclosed, “The Kusasis are emphatic about wanting the police and soldiers out of the area. There was even an attempted sniper attack on the IGP, allegedly hitting one of his bodyguards instead. They are resolute in pushing the security forces out.”
Expounding on the long-standing ethnic and territorial conflicts between the Kusasis and the Mamprusis, the source noted a shift in focus towards the police, with both sides accusing each other of state support.
The source detailed an initial spark involving Mamprusi women entering the Kusasi market, escalating tensions leading to police intervention and subsequent station burning.
Despite the station attack, the police persisted in operating within the area, provoking further backlash from locals who perceive bias. The source elucidated, “The residents feel marginalized, believing that if the police favor Mamprusis, whom they see as outsiders, they should leave the area.”
Signifying a concerted effort by some locals, the source indicated a collective desire to entirely rid Kusasi land of police and military presence.
Amid escalating violence, Member of Parliament for Binduri, Issifu Mahmoud, cautioned that ongoing peace negotiations facilitated by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, could be derailed.
Expressing concerns over the deteriorating security situation, Mahmoud underscored the urgent necessity for a bolstered military presence to maintain stability.
Emphasizing the significance of security alongside diplomatic talks, he warned that the peace process’s success hinges on a conducive environment.
With the pressing need for improved security forces in the region, Mahmoud highlighted the crucial role of boots on the ground to forestall further unrest and foster a conducive atmosphere for mediation efforts to progress effectively.