President John Mahama has directed the Ghana Armed Forces to provide armed escort and protection to vehicles plying key routes in the Bawku area, as part of urgent steps to restore safety and calm in the conflict-affected region.

Speaking during his Thank You tour of the North East Region on Friday, June 13, the President said the military has been instructed to secure the Bawku-Pulmakom-Bolgatanga and Walewale-Bolgatanga corridors to ensure safe movement of goods and people.

“Meanwhile, as Commander-in-Chief, I have instructed the Armed Forces to provide armed escort and protection to all vehicles traveling within the Bawku area, along the Bawku-Pulmakom-Bolgatanga Corridor, and also along the Walewale-Bolgatanga Corridor,” he stated.

He further disclosed that trucks carrying food supplies which had previously been stranded due to insecurity have now reached their destination safely, following military intervention.

President Mahama also acknowledged the efforts of traditional leaders toward lasting peace in Bawku, revealing that Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and Nayiri, King of Mamprugu, are playing key roles in ongoing mediation efforts.

“I was last week with His Royal Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and he briefed me on the progress being made to achieve a lasting peace in Bawku. I want to thank my father, the Nayiri, for the important roadmap to peace that he presented for consideration by the Otumfuo,” President Mahama said.

“I'm sure the traditional solutions we are seeking to the Bawku crisis will offer us the opportunity for a sustainable peace very soon.”

The Bawku conflict, rooted in decades-old chieftaincy disputes, has flared in recent years, prompting heavy military presence and restrictions on movement. Mahama’s directive signals a renewed push for both security assurance and traditional reconciliation.