National Health Insurance Authority District Director Killed in Attack Linked to Bawku Conflict

• The District Director of the Bongo National Health Insurance Authority, Mohammed Seidu Akugri, has been killed
• Akugri was ambushed near Nagode, a community close to Bolgatanga, the Upper East Region capital
• The Upper East Regional Police Command has launched a manhunt for the persons behind the killing

The District Director of the Bongo National Health Insurance Authority, Mohammed Seidu Akugri, was killed in an attack linked to the Bawku conflict.

Akugri was ambushed near Nagode, a community close to Bolgatanga, where his attackers killed him and set his body ablaze.

The gruesome nature of the killing has sent shockwaves through the region, raising fears of further violence.

Joy News reported that the Upper East Regional Police Command has launched a manhunt for the perpetrators.

The murder raises concerns about the safety of workers and other essential service providers in conflict zones and the potential for the Bawku crisis to spill over into neighbouring districts.

This incident marks one of the most high-profile killings linked to the Bawku unrest, underscoring the urgent need for a sustainable resolution to the crisis.

The Member of Parliament for Bawku Central and Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, condemned the killing of Akugri.

In a statement, Ayariga described the incident as gruesome and dastardly.

He also called on law enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

“I urge all to remain calm, and let’s focus on the ongoing efforts of Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to bring a lasting solution to the Bawku situation."

Mahama Ayariga's home attacked in Bawku

The recent tensions in Bawku saw some residents vandalise and set fire to Ayariga's home on April 10.

The incident occurred amid two days of unrest linked to the town’s long-standing chieftaincy dispute in which police and some residents clashed, and one person was killed on April 9.

Five others, including a police officer and an immigration officer, were also shot.

The conflict in Bawku centres around a chieftaincy feud between the Kusasis and Mamprusi ethnic groups.

Police launch manhunt after 2 officers slain in Upper East

The Ghana Police Service launched a manhunt for robbers who shot and killed two police officers at Poyamirea near Binduri in the Upper East Region on April 13.

A police statement said the officers, who were in plain clothes, were travelling on a private motorbike from Bongo to Binduri when they were ambushed.

The attackers reportedly got away from the vehicle after shooting the officers.

The Ghana Police Service expressed its condolences to the bereaved officers and assured the public that it was working to apprehend the attackers.

IGP makes controversial police recruitment promise

YEN.com.gh reported that the IGP, Cristian Yohuno, assured the youth in Bawku of conditional priority in police recruitment.

During a visit to Bawku on April 11, Yohuno said a special recruitment team would be deployed to the region.

The Minority in Parliament criticised the recruitment promise made by the IGP and stated it was reckless.

Yohuno later clarified that the special recruitment team would be part of a nationwide effort in the country.

Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.

Source: YEN.com.gh