The Ministry of Interior has imposed a curfew on Bole, Sawla-Tuna-Kalba Township and its surrounding areas in the Savannah Region, effective immediately from Wednesday, August 27, 2025, as tensions over land disputes threaten regional security.
Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak announced the emergency measure through an Executive Instrument, following recommendations from the National Security Council. The curfew runs from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM daily and will remain in effect “until further notice.”
The decision comes as ongoing land dispute issues have escalated into security concerns, prompting government intervention to prevent further deterioration of peace in the area.
The government has sanctioned the following comprehensive restrictions for residents and visitors in the affected areas:
Weapons Ban: A complete prohibition on carrying firearms, ammunition, or any offensive weapons is now in effect. Violations will result in immediate arrest and prosecution under the full extent of the law.
Transportation Restrictions: No two or more persons are permitted to travel together on motorcycles at any time during the day, a measure designed to prevent coordinated movements that could escalate tensions.
Cultural Restrictions: The wearing of war regalia has been banned throughout the day, aimed at reducing symbolic displays that might inflame existing conflicts.
The government has issued urgent appeals to community leaders and residents to pursue peaceful resolution of their disputes. Officials specifically called on chiefs, opinion leaders, youth, and all community members to “exercise restraint in the face of the challenges confronting them.”
Authorities emphasized the importance of using “non-violent means to channel their energies into ensuring peace in the area,” highlighting the government’s preference for dialogue over confrontation.
The Savannah Region, one of Ghana’s newer administrative regions created in 2019, has experienced periodic tensions over land rights and traditional authority disputes. Land conflicts in northern Ghana often involve competing claims over territory, chieftaincy disputes, and resource allocation disagreements between different ethnic groups.
The current situation in Sawla-Tuna-Kalba represents the latest in a series of localized conflicts that have required government intervention to maintain peace and stability in Ghana’s northern regions.
Security forces are expected to enforce the curfew strictly, with the Interior Ministry making clear that violations will be met with immediate legal action. The comprehensive nature of the restrictions suggests authorities view the situation as requiring urgent and decisive intervention.
The indefinite timeline of the curfew indicates that government officials are taking a cautious approach, preferring to maintain restrictions until they are confident that underlying tensions have been adequately addressed.
Residents and visitors to the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba Township and surrounding areas are advised to comply fully with all restrictions and to cooperate with security personnel during this period of heightened enforcement.
