Gov’t Eases Bawku Motorbike Ban, Women Return to The Road
In a significant adjustment to security measures in the conflict-affected Bawku Municipality, the government has lifted the ban on women riding motorbikes.
The government has announced a partial relaxation of security restrictions in the Bawku Municipality and its environs in the Upper East Region, allowing women to resume riding motorbikes during the day while maintaining the existing ban on men as efforts continue to restore lasting peace in the area. The decision, announced by the Minister for the Interior on Tuesday July 29, follows advice from the National Security Council and was effected through an Executive Instrument. Under the revised directive, women are now permitted to ride motorbikes between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. each day.
The latest measure represents a notable shift in the government’s security strategy for Bawku, where restrictions on the use of motorbikes have formed part of broader interventions aimed at curbing violence, improving surveillance and preventing the movement of armed individuals amid the municipality’s protracted security challenges. While easing the restrictions for women, the government stressed that the prohibition on men riding motorbikes remains firmly in place and will continue until further notice. The authorities indicated that the decision was informed by ongoing security assessments and reflects the need to sustain gains made in maintaining law and order.
For many women in Bawku and surrounding communities, the lifting of the ban is expected to bring considerable relief. Motorbikes serve as a primary means of transportation in the municipality, enabling residents to travel to markets, farms, schools, health facilities and workplaces. The revised directive is therefore expected to improve mobility and ease the burden on women whose daily economic and social activities have been affected by the restrictions.
The Ministry of the Interior urged residents to comply fully with the updated directive, emphasizing that cooperation with the security agencies remains essential to preserving peace and protecting lives and property. Authorities also cautioned that the continued restriction on men should be strictly observed, warning that any violation of the directive would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
The latest adjustment comes as the government continues to review security measures in Bawku, where intermittent violence has prompted the imposition of curfews and movement restrictions over the years. Security agencies remain on heightened alert as efforts continue to stabilize the municipality and create conditions conducive to lasting peace.
The situation will however remain under close surveillance, with future decisions on the restrictions expected to depend on security assessments and recommendations from the National Security Council. The government reiterated its commitment to safeguarding public safety while taking measured steps to restore normalcy in one of Ghana’s most security-sensitive municipalities.
By Joyce Owusu
