Kusaug Youth petition Bagbin over NPP MPs’ ‘Bawku is burning’ chant

The Kusaug Youth Movement has petitioned the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, demanding immediate disciplinary action against a group of New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament captured in a viral video chanting “Bawku is burning.”

In a petition dated 28 November 2025 and signed by the Association’s President, Abubakar Abdul-Karim, the youth group described the lawmakers’ behaviour as “insensitive, reckless and deeply offensive” at a time when residents of Bawku continue to grapple with insecurity, displacement and economic hardship.

Addressed to the Speaker and copied to Parliamentary Leadership, the petition stressed that the chant constitutes “a mockery of the pain of the people” and risks inciting further tensions in the already-fragile Bawku enclave. The Association stated that the conduct of the MPs “has the potential to fuel further unrest” and violates the dignity of Parliament.

“For sitting Members of Parliament—lawmakers and leaders—to gleefully chant ‘Bawku is burning’ at a time when men, women and children are living in fear, losing property, and in some cases their lives, is completely unacceptable,” the petition emphasised.

The Kusaug Youth Association argued that the behaviour of the MPs falls far below the ethical standards expected of public office holders, particularly in a period when President John Dramani Mahama and the National Security Council are intensifying peace efforts in the conflict zone.

The group further called for a formal probe and demanded that the matter be referred to the Privileges Committee. They warned that Parliament must not allow “irresponsible parliamentary conduct” to undermine national unity. “Our people are traumatised. Families have been displaced. Businesses have collapsed. It is unconscionable that Honourable Members would choose to trivialise this suffering for political theatrics,” the petition added.

The Association appealed to Speaker Bagbin to use his authority to reaffirm Parliament’s commitment to national cohesion, noting that citizens expect leadership that promotes peace rather than rhetoric that deepens division. “Parliament must rise above partisan interests and condemn actions that threaten peace and unity,” the petition stressed.

The Kusaug Youth Association expressed confidence that the Speaker will handle the matter with urgency, assuring that residents of the Kusaug area remain committed to peace and expect state institutions to uphold that commitment.

The Bawku conflict is a protracted chieftaincy dispute between the indigenous Kusasi and settler Mamprusi communities, with roots stretching back decades. It has resulted in recurring violence, loss of life, destruction of property, and intermittent curfews. Political interference, historical grievances, and territorial claims have complicated attempts at long-term resolution.

In recent months, government efforts to restore peace have included submitting the matter to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, for mediation. According to a statement from the Presidency, the Asantehene will present his findings and recommendations to President Mahama on Tuesday, December 16, 2025—a development many hope will mark progress toward lasting stability in the area.