Bawku | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Bawku Location of Bawku inUpper East Region | |
| Coordinates:11°3′36″N0°14′24″W / 11.06000°N 0.24000°W /11.06000; -0.24000 | |
| Country | Ghana |
| Region | Upper East Region |
| District | Bawku Municipal District |
| Population (2012) | |
• Total | 69,527[1] |
| Time zone | GMT |
| • Summer (DST) | GMT |
Bawku is a town in and the capital ofBawku Municipal District, Upper East Region, in north Ghana, adjacent to theborder withBurkina Faso.[2][3][4] The municipality has a total land area of about 257 km2.[5] It was established by Legislative Instrument (L.I) 2103.[5] In 2021, Bawku had a population of 119,458 people.[1][6]
The "tomb" ofNaa Gbewaa, a shrine to the founder of theMamprusi,Dagomba, andNanumba tribes, is located just a few kilometers from Bawku inPusiga, in the Upper East Region of Ghana. The shrine is thought to have been built in the 14th century, and it is a place of spiritual reverence.[7]
The Bawku conflict is a long-standingchieftaincy and ethnic dispute primarily between theKusasi andMamprusi communities in and around the Bawku Municipal District, near the border withBurkina Faso, dating back to 1957.[8] Rooted in the colonial indirect-rule framework and sharpened by post-independence policy reversals, the dispute centres on claims to the paramount chieftaincy (theBawku skin) and associated land authority.[9] Periodic escalations have led to deaths, injuries, displacement, curfews, and significant economic and social disruption.[10][11] In July 2025, the government again deployed additional soldiers and tightened curfews following renewed violence, including attacks on schools.[12]
Media related toBawku at Wikimedia Commons| Municipal (4) |
| .svg) |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary (11) | ||