The Inspector General of Police (IGP), COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno, was angrily chased out of the region by residents of Kusaug in the Bawku Municipality of the Upper East Region.
According to reports, they were furious with COP Yohuno and his group for the area’s worsening security.
In Bawku, where a recent resurgence of violence has sparked grave security worries, the IGP led a high-level delegation of police operations, investigators, and intelligence specialists.
The visit came after a fatal altercation between local youth and police that claimed the life of one Fuseini Iddrisu.
Five other people, including an immigration officer and a police officer, were receiving treatment at various medical institutions in the Upper East Region after being shot.
By working together, the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Armed Forces were able to bring peace back to Bawku on April 9, 2025.
On April 10, 2025, however, there was a resurgence of violence when some irate young people allegedly set fire to the home of Mr. Mahama Ayariga, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bawku, in the Bawku suburb of Wiidi.
According to information obtained, IGP Yohuno and his entourage were promptly driven from the region after he spoke to the youth about putting an end to the unrest and recruiting for the Ghana Police Service.
Speaking on the incident, Mr. Akambugri Donatus Atanga, the Upper East Regional Minister, clarified that the hooting at the IGP was a show of annoyance at how the security situation in the region was being handled, not a response to his plea for calm.
He claims that while the locals want an end to the war and the establishment of lasting peace, they were unhappy with the IGP’s comments during his visit, especially the offer of special police recruitment as a condition for laying down arms.
On Saturday, April 12, 2025, Mr. Atanga provided the explanation on JoyNews’ Newsfile show.
He pointed out that the young people were not impressed by the offer because their main reason for gathering was to call for an end to the ongoing war, not to get special treatment when applying for police jobs.
“The people were not hooting at the IGP because he asked them to give peace a chance.”
“But they were not happy when he promised them that they’ll be given priority recruitment into the police because they were asking for employment. They were not happy about how the security agencies have handled the situation in Bawku, and that is why they made that noise,” Mr. Atanga stated.
The Minister’s comments point to a widening gap between government actions and citizens’ expectations, especially those of the younger generation, who demand more equitable and forceful security measures in addition to economic prospects.
Kusaug Residents Chase Out IGP