Ghana’s Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, has ordered the closure of seven courts in the Upper East Region following a surge in violence tied to the ongoing Bawku conflict.
The Judicial Service of Ghana announced the decision, citing security concerns for judges and court staff amid the escalating tensions. The closure, effective immediately, will remain in place until further notice. Justice Cyra Pamela Koranteng JA, Secretary of the Judicial Service, issued a statement urging court registrars to secure court assets and advising staff to prioritize their safety.
The Bawku conflict, which has led to at least 16 deaths and several injuries, prompted the government to impose a nightly curfew from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM. The conflict intensified recently with the return of rival chief Alhaji Seidu Abagre from exile, reigniting a long-standing chieftaincy dispute.
Ghana’s police have also heightened security along the Bolga-Tamale highway following a recent shooting incident, aiming to restore calm in the region.
The courts affected by this closure include:
- High Court, Bolgatanga
- Circuit Court, Bolgatanga
- District Court, Bolgatanga
- District Court, Zuarungu
- District Court, Zebila
- District Court, Garu
- District Court, Bongo
The Judicial Service has not yet provided a timeline for reopening the courts, indicating that security measures will guide any decision to resume judicial operations.
Source:TheDotNews