Curfew declared in Upper Ghana following electoral violence

A dusk to dawn curfew has been declared in Bawku in the Upper East region following violent clashes between supporters of the ruling NDC and the main opposition party, NPP. The violence was sparked by a delay in the release of the parliamentary results in the Bawku Central constituency where NPP candidate, Hawa Yakubu is contesting the seat with the incumbent, Hajia Fati Seidu.

The results have been withheld by electoral officials. Reports say angry supporters of Hajia Seidu attacked and burnt down a house belonging to Madam Yakubu who has reportedly gone into hiding. A number of houses as well as the cola market, in the town, have also been burnt down.

A contingent of military personnel, which had been deployed in the town before elections began, had to call for reinforcement to quell the riots. Eye witnesses say a number of deaths have been recorded though this is yet to be confirmed by officials.

Some observers believe the row has its roots in a long-running chieftaincy dispute in the town between the two main tribes in the area, the Kusasis and the Mamprusis. Hajia Fati Seidu is a Kusasiwhile Madam Yakubu, though not a Mamprusi, has a large support base among members of that tribe. Efforts to reach security agencies in the town have proved futile largely due to the communication problems in the region