The Ministry of the Interior has announced a partial relaxation of the security restrictions governing motorcycle usage within the Bawku Municipality and its surrounding communities in the Upper East Region. Under the updated directive, female residents are now permitted to operate motorbikes during daytime hours, providing relief to women whose daily mobility and economic activities have been severely constrained by existing security measures.
The official decision, which was formalized through an Executive Instrument following formal consultations and recommendations from the National Security Council, took effect on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. According to official communication released by the ministry, female riders are authorized to operate motorbikes strictly between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. daily.
However, security agencies emphasized that the prohibition against male riders operating motorcycles in the area remains fully active and enforced. Ministry officials confirmed that the complete ban on men riding motorbikes continues without modification until further notice, as part of sustained operational strategies aimed at maintaining stability and preventing localized violence across the municipality.
The Ministry of the Interior issued an explicit appeal to all community members, traditional leaders, and local authorities within Bawku and nearby districts to adhere strictly to the revised operational framework. Government representatives emphasized that public cooperation with security personnel remains essential to preserving order, preventing intelligence breaches, and supporting broader peace-building efforts in the region.
Motorbikes serve as the primary mode of personal transportation, commercial transit, and agricultural movement across many rural and urban centers in northern Ghana. Security councils have historically implemented targeted restrictions on motorcycle movement in response to security incidents, as light vehicles have frequently been utilized for swift movement during civil unrest.
The relaxation for female riders is expected to ease domestic errands, healthcare access, and commercial activities for women across the municipality while preserving primary counter-measures intended to mitigate security threats.
The ministry reaffirmed that security updates will continue to be evaluated continuously alongside advice from state security agencies, with further directives to be issued as local conditions evolve.
Philbert Amiba Ayuusah