A developing situation in Bawku has sparked fresh debate, as some Mamprusi residents reportedly rejected mathematical sets donated to Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates by the area’s Member of Parliament, Hon. Mahama Ayariga. The gesture, which was intended to support students ahead of their exams, has instead been met with resistance rooted in longstanding tensions within the municipality.
According to emerging reports circulating on social media and local platforms, the group declined the items, citing what they describe as perceived bias by the MP and his alleged affiliation with the Kusasi side in the ongoing conflict. The rejection underscores the deep mistrust that continues to exist between sections of the Mamprusi and Kusasi communities in the area.
The incident cannot be separated from the broader context of the protracted Bawku conflict, a decades-long chieftaincy and ethnic dispute between the Kusasi and Mamprusi groups. Bawku conflict The conflict, which dates back to the colonial era, revolves around competing claims over traditional authority and land ownership, and has periodically erupted into violence, disrupting social and economic life in the region.
In recent years, tensions have remained high despite mediation efforts led by prominent traditional leaders and government-backed peace initiatives. The conflict has affected key sectors such as education, with school closures and insecurity often disrupting academic activities—making interventions like the donation of mathematical sets particularly significant, but also sensitive.
While some residents see such donations as necessary support for students preparing for critical national exams, others view them through a political or ethnic lens. The rejection of the items highlights how even well-intentioned initiatives can become entangled in local dynamics of mistrust and identity.
As of now, there has been no widely reported official response from Hon. Mahama Ayariga regarding the incident. However, the development adds to growing concerns about how deeply the conflict continues to influence everyday life and community relations in Bawku.
The situation serves as a reminder that beyond political and traditional leadership negotiations, rebuilding trust at the grassroots level remains essential to achieving lasting peace in the area.
Click the link to watch the video on our TikTok page.
