Chief Justice Closes Courts in Upper East Amid Bawku Tensions
Justice Cyra Pamela Koranteng, Secretary of the Judicial Service, instructed registrars to secure all court assets and emphasized the importance of staff safety
- All courts in the Upper East Region are shut down until further notice
- A curfew has been imposed from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM
- The resurgence of violence is linked to the return of rival chief Alhaji Seidu Abagre from exile
Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has ordered an immediate shutdown of all courts in the Upper East Region due to the escalating Bawku conflict.
This decision follows serious safety concerns raised by court staff and judges, and the closure will remain until further notice.
In a statement released on October 29, Justice Cyra Pamela Koranteng, Secretary of the Judicial Service, instructed registrars to secure all court assets and emphasized the importance of staff safety.
The ongoing Bawku conflict has resulted in at least 16 fatalities and many injuries, prompting the government to enforce a curfew from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM. The Ghana Police Service has heightened security along the Bolga-Tamale highway following a recent shooting incident.
This resurgence of conflict is linked to the return of rival chief Alhaji Seidu Abagre from exile, reigniting a long-standing chieftaincy dispute. The affected courts include:
- High Court, Bolgatanga
- Circuit Court, Bolgatanga
- District Court, Bolgatanga
- District Court, Zuarungu
- District Court, Zebila
- District Court, Garu
- District Court, Bongo
